About shingles
Shingles is an infection that affects a nerve and the skin around it. It causes a painful rash that develops into blisters, similar to chickenpox.
Anyone can get shingles, but it’s more common in people aged 70 and over. Symptoms usually last 2 to 4 weeks. The risk of serious complications increases with age. These can include long-lasting nerve pain that may continue for months or years after the rash has gone.
Around 1 in 4 adults will get shingles during their lifetime. Having the shingles vaccine reduces your risk of getting shingles and developing complications.
People with a weakened immune system are also at higher risk.
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus). After you recover from chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in your body. It can reactivate later in life and cause shingles.
You cannot catch shingles from someone who has chickenpox, and shingles doesn’t usually spread from person to person. However, fluid from shingles blisters can cause chickenpox in someone who has never had it before.
Although uncommon, you can get shingles more than once.
You can read more on Shingles: symptoms, causes and treatment
The shingles vaccine
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended replacing the single-dose Zostavax® vaccine with the 2-dose Shingrix® vaccine. Shingrix® provides protection when the risk of shingles and its complications is highest.
You can contact your GP surgery to arrange vaccination. The vaccine is free, but your GP may charge a consultation fee.
Shingrix® is given in 2 doses:
- 6 to 12 months apart for most people
- 8 weeks to 6 months apart for people with a severely weakened immune system
Shingrix information leaflet
Side effects
Common side effects include:
- headache
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or stomach pain
- muscle pain
- pain, redness or swelling where the injection was given
- tiredness
- chills
- fever
Other side effects can include:
- itching at the injection site
- feeling unwell
- swollen glands in the neck, armpit or groin
- joint pain
Who can get the vaccine
We introduced its revised Shingrix® vaccination programme in 2024. The programme was expanded further in 2026.
You can get the vaccine if you’re:
- aged 60 or over
- under 80 years old (you can receive your second dose up to your 81st birthday)
- aged 18 or over with severe immunosuppression, with no upper age limit
If you have a lower level of immunosuppression, you may still be eligible if you’re in an age group covered by the routine programme. Ask your GP if you’re unsure.
If you missed your vaccine, contact your GP surgery.
Who should not get the vaccine
Do not have the shingles vaccine if you have had a serious allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, after a previous dose of a shingles or chickenpox vaccine.
If you've already had shingles
You should still get vaccinated if you have had shingles before. The vaccine helps boost your protection and reduces the risk of getting shingles again.
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