Shingles vaccine - About the shingles vaccine

Vaccine experts have advised that the shingles vaccine should be offered to people aged 60 and over. It will be carried out in phases over 10 years.

They have also advised that the vaccine is offered to people aged 18 and over who have very weakened immune systems.

This table shows who is eligible for a shingles vaccine from August 2025.

For most eligible people, the shingles vaccine will be offered until they are 80. However, if you have a very weakened immune system, you can be given the vaccine from when you turn 18 up to any age.

People with a very weakened immune system may include:

• those with certain cancers, such as leukaemia or lymphoma
• those taking certain medicines
• those taking a moderate to high dose of steroids, and
• those who have had an organ transplant.

If you have a very weakened immune system, there is no upper age limit for having the shingles vaccine. However, it is recommended that you have the vaccine as soon as you become eligible so that you are protected as early as possible.

If you are eligible, you should take up your offer of the shingles vaccination.  

Younger people will be offered the vaccine when they reach the eligible age.

You can get shingles at any age, but the risk, severity and complications increase as you get older. People with very weakened immune systems are at higher risk, which is why the vaccine is sometimes recommended at an earlier age.

The shingles vaccine is called Shingrix. It is normally given as an injection into the muscle of the upper arm.

Shingrix is not a live vaccine, which means it does not contain any live virus. If you would like to learn more about the vaccine, you can read the following patient information leaflet.

If you’re eligible, you can get the vaccine at any time of year. The next time you speak to a healthcare professional, ask them about the shingles vaccine.

You will need two doses.

• If you have a very weakened immune system, you should have the second dose at least eight weeks after your first dose.
• If you do not have a very weakened immune system, you should have the second dose at least six to 12 months after your first dose.

Once you have had both doses, you do not need any more shingles vaccines.

If you have any questions or concerns or need more information about the shingles vaccine, speak to your GP or practice nurse.

Your GP surgery should get in touch with you to make an appointment when you are eligible.

If they don’t, or you think you might have missed the invitation, contact them and tell them you think you are due for a shingles vaccine.

Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short-term, and not everyone gets them. The most common side effects are:

• pain, redness or swelling in the arm where the injection was given
• a headache
• stomach symptoms (such as feeling or being sick, having an upset stomach or tummy pain)
• feeling tired
• chills or a fever, and
• general aches.

You can rest and take the normal dose of paracetamol (follow the advice in the packaging) to help make you feel better. Do not use machines or drive if you are feeling unwell.

If the side effects last for more than a few days, you should speak to a healthcare professional.

Rarely, people can have a severe reaction soon after vaccination, which causes breathing difficulties and may cause them to collapse. This is called an anaphylactic reaction, and it can also happen with other medicines and food. These reactions are extremely rare, affecting less than one in a million people. Staff who give vaccinations are trained to manage these reactions.

People who have an anaphylactic reaction can be successfully treated and usually recover within a few hours.

Find out more about side effects

All side effects are included in the patient information leaflet for the vaccine. For more information on side effects, visit the EMC website for information about Shingrix.

If you have any questions about side effects, you can ask the person giving you the vaccine.

You should report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines online at the Yellow Card website, by downloading the Yellow Card app, or by calling 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

The vaccine should not be given to anyone who has had a serious (life-threatening) reaction to:

• a previous dose of the vaccine, or
• any ingredient in the vaccine.

Make sure you tell the person giving you the vaccine if you have had a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine or its ingredients in the past.

If you have a bleeding disorder, speak to your doctor or practice nurse before you have the vaccine.

If you are ill, it is best to wait until you are better to have the vaccine, but you should try to have it as soon as possible. If you cannot attend your vaccination appointment, please cancel and rearrange the appointment.

A cold or other minor illness is not a reason to delay your vaccine. If in doubt, discuss this with the person giving you your vaccination.