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Shingles vaccine - Shingles information for health professionals

On 1 September 2013, Wales introduced a shingles vaccination programme for people aged 70-79 years. The introduction was phased, starting with those who were 70 and 79 years old in the first year. From 1 April 2019, individuals who turned 70 and had not previously had a shingles vaccine became eligible. They remain eligible until their 80th birthday.  

NHS Wales shingles vaccination programme updates

Key changes from 1 September 2023 

NHS Wales expanded the eligibility for the Shingrix® shingles vaccine to include: 

  • All severely immunosuppressed individuals aged 50 and over, with no upper age limit. This group was prioritised for catch-up vaccination within the first year.  
  • Immunocompetent individuals from age 60 (previously 70), with a phased implementation over 10 years.  

All eligible individuals require a 2-dose schedule of Shingrix®.  

To transition from a Zostavax® programme routinely offered at 70 years, to a Shingrix® programme routinely offered at 60 years, it was decided that a phased approach was needed. The table below provides an overview of the phased approach. 

Overview of the phased shingles vaccination programme from 1 September 2023:  
Implementation phases  Duration Eligible for first dose 
Phase one 1 Sept 2023 to 31 Aug 2028 (5 years)  Those turning 65 or 70 years during this period should be called in on/after their 65th or 70th birthday*  
Phase two 1 Sept 2028 to 31 Aug 2033 (5 years)  Those turning 60 or 65 years during this period should be called in on/after their 60th or 65th birthday*  
Ongoing routine offer 1 Sept 2033 onwards   Those turning 60 years of age should be called in on/after their 60th birthday* 

*those that became eligible and missed out remain eligible until their 80th birthday.   

Key changes from August 2025 

In June 2025, Welsh Government (external site) accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) (external site) to further expand the shingles vaccine eligibility. From August 2025, the shingles vaccine will be offered to: 

all severely immunosuppressed individuals aged 18 years and over (previously 50 and over).   

Current shingles vaccination programme in Wales 

In Wales, the shingles vaccination programme is offered as follows:  

  • Routine vaccination  
    Delivered in a phased approach, starting with those turning 65 or 70.  
  • For severely immunosuppressed individuals  
    Offered to all adults aged 18 years and over, with no upper age limit. Severely immunosuppressed individuals are defined in the Green Book chapter 28a – Shingles (herpes zoster) (external site)   

NB: If an individual has previously received the Zostavax® vaccine and later becomes severely immunosuppressed, they should be offered two doses of Shingrix®.  

If an individual has already had two doses of Shingrix® and then becomes severely immunosuppressed, there is no need to repeat the course. For further details, please refer to Question 10 on the frequently asked questions about shingles on the SharePoint page. 

We are currently in phase 1 of the Shingles vaccination programme. 

The table below summarises the individuals eligible for the shingles vaccine: 
Individual’s age Is the individual severely immunosuppressed?

 When will they receive the 1st dose  of Shingrix® vaccine?  When will they receive the 2nd dose  of Shingrix® vaccine? 
Turned 65 years or 70 years^  

(on/after 1 September each year from 2023 to 2028)   		No   Aged 65 years   
  
Aged 70 years 		Between 6 and 12 months following first dose
71 – 79 years who have not been given a shingles vaccine  No   Individuals aged 70-79 years before 1 September 2023 are eligible until their 80th birthday^^ Between 6 and 12 months following first dose ^^^
18 years and over (no upper age limit)  Yes^^^^  On or after their 18th birthday Between 8 weeks and 6 months following first dose^^^^^ 

^ If an individual is already 65 or older but not yet 80 during phase one, General Practices can provide the vaccine opportunistically if operationally possible.   

^^ All immunocompetent individuals remain eligible for shingles vaccine until their 80th birthday.  

^^^ Where an individual has turned 80 years of age following their first dose of Shingrix®, a second dose should be provided before the individual’s 81st birthday to complete the course.   

^^^^ Individuals who should be offered Shingrix® amongst this age group are summarised in the Green Book chapter 28a about shingles (herpes zoster) on the UK Government website (external site).

^^^^^ Once severely immunosuppressed individuals have received 2 doses of Shingrix®, they will not require re-vaccination.     

Phase 2 (1 September 2028 to 31 August 2033):   

During Phase 2, Shingrix® should be offered to those turning 60 and 65. Shingrix® will also remain available to eligible immunocompetent unvaccinated individuals until they turn 80.  

Shingrix® will continue to be offered to severely immunosuppressed individuals from the age of 18. Individuals over 18 newly diagnosed with severe immunosuppression should be vaccinated with Shingrix® if they have not already been vaccinated. These individuals should be invited for vaccination within 12 weeks of becoming eligible (as outlined in the Green Book chapter 28a about shingles (herpes zoster) on the UK Government website (external site). and changes to shingles vaccinations on the Welsh Government website (external site)).   

Routine offer from 1 September 2033:  

From 1 September 2033, Shingrix® will be offered routinely to:  

  • all immunocompetent individuals at 60 years of age, and  
  • eligible severely immunosuppressed individuals aged 18 years or over.   

Further information about shingles vaccine eligibility can be found in the Guidance section below.    

The vaccine 

  • Shingrix® on the EMC website (external site) is a non-live vaccine. 
  • Two doses of Shingrix are required. Most individuals are offered the second dose of Shingrix at least 6 to 12 months after the first dose. However, severely immunosuppressed individuals should have their second dose of Shingrix from eight weeks after their first dose.   
  • Shingrix® should be given by intramuscular injection, preferably in the deltoid muscle of the upper arm. Subcutaneous administration is not recommended. 

Shingrix® is the only vaccine available for the shingles programme.   

More information about the vaccine can be found in the Green Book Chapter 28a about shingles (external site)  

Summary of product characteristics   

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. You should report suspected adverse reactions of vaccines and medicines online at the Yellow Card website (external site), by downloading the Yellow Card app, or by calling 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). 

Guidance in the Green Book Chapter 28a about shingles on the UK Government website (external site) supersedes the SmPC.   

The complete routine immunisation schedule includes information about routine and non-routine vaccinations.   

Vaccine coadministration  

Shingrix® is a non-live vaccine. It can be co-administered with other vaccines, including the pneumococcal vaccine (PPV-23). However, fever and shivering have been more commonly reported when Shingrix® is given alongside PPV-23. 

Guidance

Vaccination programme recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and Welsh Government policy can be found at the links below.

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on the UK Government website (external site) – read JCVI publications and statements; search e.g. shingles.

Welsh Health Circulars and Welsh Government letters

Clinical resources and information 

Patient group directions (PGDs)

Vaccine PGD templates and Advisory Documents for Wales can be found on the  Welsh Medicines Advice Service website (external site). 

Further clinical resources and information

Data and surveillance

Page last reviewed: 28th August 2025