Shingles vaccine
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The shingles vaccine helps reduce your risk of developing shingles. If you do get shingles, it can reduce how serious the symptoms will be.
Strict infection prevention and control measures are in place during your appointment. Please follow the latest coronavirus COVID-19 guidance when attending your appointment.
If you have symptoms of coronavirus, or have been in contact with someone who does, contact your health professional to rearrange your appointment.
What's shingles?
Shingles is caused by a virus called varicella zoster, the same virus that causes chickenpox. When you recover from chickenpox most of this virus is destroyed, but some survives and lies inactive in your body’s nervous system.
The virus can then become active again later in life, when your immune system has been weakened by age, stress, illness or certain treatments that can reduce your immunity. The shingles vaccine helps to protect you by boosting your immunity.
Andy's story: The symptoms of shingles (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVsDU8JbDgQ)
Andy talks about his experience of having shingles.
Why should I be vaccinated?
The vaccine helps to protect against shingles.
Who is eligible for the vaccine?
People aged between 70 and 79 on 1 September 2022 are eligible for the free shingles vaccine.
When will I be immunised?
You'll be contacted by your local health board when you're eligible to be immunised. You can get the vaccine at any time of the year.
Find out how to contact your health board regarding your vaccination appointment
Further information and other languages and formats
More information on the shingles vaccine can be found in this leaflet, available in multiple languages and formats.
For alternative formats, please contact phs.otherformats@phs.scot.
The vaccine
What vaccine is used?
The Zostavax vaccine is routinely used in Scotland.
This shingles vaccine contains a weakened form of the virus that causes shingles. Because its weakened, it does not cause the illness. It helps to build up your immunity to the virus, so your body will fight it off more easily if it affects you again.
How effective is the vaccine?
The vaccine will reduce your chances of developing shingles by more than a third. If you do go on to have shingles, having the vaccine can make the symptoms milder.
How do we know the vaccine is safe?
All medicines (including vaccines) are tested for safety and effectiveness by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The shingles vaccine meets the high safety standards required for it to be used in the UK and other European countries. The vaccine has been given to millions of people worldwide.
Once they're in use, the safety of vaccines continues to be monitored by the MHRA.
Are there any reasons I shouldn't have the shingles vaccine?
You shouldn't have the shingles vaccine if:
- you've had a severe reaction to any of the ingredients in the vaccine
- you've had a severe reaction to a previous dose of the chickenpox vaccine
After the vaccine
After having the vaccine there may be side effects, but these are usually mild.
Side effects
Side effects are usually quite mild and don’t last very long.
The most common side effects are:
- redness, itching, pain, swelling, bruising, a rash, warmth and hardness around the injection site
- muscle pain
- fatigue
- headache
- pain in the arm or leg
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP practice if:
- you have side effects that last for more than a few days
Last updated:
07 March 2023