Shingles Vaccine Across the UK

Two doses of Shingrix are required for full protection. The second dose is given two to six months after the first. A single dose provides partial protection, but we recommend the full two-dose course for the highest level of efficacy. We manage both appointments and will remind you when the second is due.

The NHS currently offers the shingles vaccine free of charge to adults aged 65 and to those aged 70 to 79 as part of a catch-up programme. Adults who are severely immunosuppressed may also be eligible. If you fall outside these groups, private vaccination at our clinics is the most accessible route.

Shingrix is the recombinant zoster vaccine, now recommended by the JCVI and used across the NHS programme. It contains no live virus, making it suitable for immunocompromised patients. Zostavax, the older live attenuated vaccine, is no longer routinely offered. Shingrix is approximately 90 per cent effective at preventing shingles, compared to around 51 per cent for Zostavax.

Shingrix commonly causes side effects that are more pronounced than many other vaccines. These include soreness, redness and swelling at the injection site, fatigue, muscle ache, headache and, in some cases, a low-grade fever. Symptoms typically last one to two days after the first dose and may be somewhat stronger after the second. Serious reactions are rare. Your clinician will discuss what to expect before going ahead.

Yes. You can have your first dose at any of our ten clinics and your second at a different location if that is more convenient. We will record your first dose at your appointment and coordinate the second dose booking.

It is generally advisable to wait at least four weeks after a significant acute illness, including a chickenpox episode in adulthood, before receiving the shingles vaccine. Your clinician will review your recent health history at your pre-vaccination check and advise on timing.

Yes. We offer private shingles vaccination to adults aged 50 and over. The NHS offers the vaccine free of charge only to those aged 65 and those in the 70 to 79 catch-up group, but private vaccination is available to anyone from 50 onwards, regardless of NHS eligibility.

Yes. Having had shingles does not prevent you from being vaccinated. The vaccine helps reduce the risk of a further episode, which is possible since the varicella-zoster virus remains in the nervous system after any shingles episode. It is generally advisable to wait until the acute episode and any symptoms have fully resolved before vaccinating.

Because Shingrix contains no live virus, it is generally considered the appropriate option for people who are immunocompromised or on immunosuppressive medication, including those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, and people on long-term corticosteroids. Your clinician will review your individual situation at your pre-vaccination consultation. If you are on active immunosuppressive treatment, it is worth timing the vaccine when your treatment allows for the best immune response.

Studies suggest that protection from the two-dose Shingrix course remains high for at least seven years, and likely longer. Ongoing data collection continues to assess long-term duration. At present, no routine booster is recommended for most adults. Your clinician can advise based on your age, health status and when you were first vaccinated.

In most cases, yes. People on anticoagulants can receive the shingles vaccine, though your clinician will apply pressure to the injection site for a few minutes after administration to minimise bruising. Let us know about any medications when you book so we can advise in advance.

Yes. We issue a vaccination certificate or confirmation letter, including the vaccine name, batch number, and dates of each dose, at each appointment and email it to you as a PDF. Employers, insurers, and occupational health services accept these.