Shingles Immunisation Programme from 01/09/2023
Immunosuppressed individuals:
From 1 September 2023, severely immunosuppressed individuals (eligibility as defined in the Green Book Shingles chapter 28a) aged 50 years and over who have not received the shingles vaccine before will be eligible for 2 doses of the inactivated Shingrix vaccine.
The second dose should be given 8 weeks to 6 months after the first dose for this cohort.
There is no upper age limit, but individuals should receive the vaccine as soon as they become eligible to provide protection as early as possible.
Immunocompetent healthy individuals:
From 1 September 2023, the routine age for the shingles programme is changing from routinely offering Zostavax at 70 years of age to routinely offering Shingrix at 60 years of age. This change will be undertaken in a phased approach during a 10-year implementation period.
Immunocompetent individuals from 70 to 79 years of age who have not received the shingles vaccine previously are eligible until their 80th birthday:
For this group of immunocompetent individuals, a single dose of Zostavax or 2 doses of Shingrix vaccine will be given depending on stock availability.
The second dose of Shingrix should be given 6 months to 12 months after the first dose.
Immunocompetent individuals turning 65 and 70 years after 1st September each year will be offered the Shingrix vaccine and will remain eligible until their 80th birthday. Vaccination of 65- and 70-year-olds is defined by the patient’s age at 1 September 2023:
70 years born between 01/09/1952-31/08/1954
65 years born between 01/09/1958-31/08/1959
(If you turned 65 before 1st September 2023 you will be eligible for the vaccine when you turn 70)
