New shingles vaccination programme launched



From 1 September 2023, everyone who is eligible for shingles vaccination will be offered two doses of Shingrix® instead of Zostavax®.

The change of vaccine means that people will become eligible at a younger age, and because it is not a live vaccine, Shingrix can also be offered to those who are immunocompromised.

Although shingles can occur at any age, the risk and severity of shingles and its complications increases with age and is high in people who are severely immunosuppressed, who should be vaccinated at an earlier age.

People who were previously eligible for Zostavax, and who are under 80 years of age should continue to be offered Zostavax until stocks are used up.

People who are Immunocompetent

The eligible age for immunocompetent patients will change from 70 years to 60 years, in a phased implementation programme over a period of 10 years.

• Stage 1. 1 September 2023–31 August 2028: offer Shingrix to patients turning 70 and 65 years on or after 1 September 2023
• Stage 2. 1 September 2028 – 31 August 2033: offer Shingrix to those turning 65 and 60 years.

From 1 September 2033, offer Shingrix routinely at age 60.

Shingrix requires 2 doses. For immunocompetent people, the second dose should be given 6 to 12 months after the first.

Immunocompetent people remain eligible until they reach the age of 80, as now. If they turn 80 after their first dose, the second dose should be given before their 81st birthday.

People who are immunosuppressed

From 1 September, anyone who is immunocompromised will become eligible for Shingrix vaccine at the age of 50, with no upper age limit. The second dose should be given 8 weeks to 6 months after the first dose.

People who are immunocompromised represent the highest priority for vaccination given their risk of severe disease, and therefore the programme aims to catch up all immunocompromised individuals aged 50 years and over in the first year.

Results assessing the impact of shingles vaccination in the 5 years after the introduction of the Zostavax® programme in England showed large reductions in both GP consultations and hospitalisations for herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia, so it is important to continue to maximise uptake.

An updated patient group direction (PGD) template is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/shingles-vaccine-shingrix-patient-group-direction-pgd-template

About Shingrix

Shingrix is a recombinant vaccine, containing varicella zoster virus glycoprotein E antigen, adjuvanted with AS01B. Efficacy in immunocompetent adults has been estimated at between 97.2% (in those 50 years or over) and 91.2% (in those aged 70 or over). Because it is a recombinant protein vaccine, there is less risk of developing varicella-like rashes after vaccination, compared with Zostavax, which is a live vaccine. However, in the event of someone developing a varicella (widespread) or shingles-like (dermatomal) rash at any time after vaccination with either vaccine, a vesicle sample should be sent for analysis by the Virus Reference Department (Telephone: 0208 327 6017) to determine whether the rash is vaccine-associated or wild type.