The NHS shingles programme now uses Shingrix and is being extended in stages: people turning 65 and 70 are invited, along with everyone 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system. If you are 66–69 or over 80 you may be in a gap year; ask your GP practice.
Below 65 with a normal immune system, the NHS doesn’t offer it — but risk of shingles rises steeply through the fifties, and the nerve pain afterwards is the complication people fear most. Shingrix is over 90% effective and licensed from 50, which is why we offer it privately from that age at all six branches. Two doses, two to six months apart. See the shingles vaccination page and why the vaccine matters from 50.
You can have it if you’ve had shingles before, once the episode has fully cleared. You can have it if you had the older Zostavax vaccine. It isn’t live, so it’s safe with a weakened immune system.
If you develop shingles, antivirals within 72 hours of the rash reduce its severity and the risk of lasting pain — NHS Pharmacy First covers that free for adults, so come straight in.
15-minute pharmacist consultation, supplied under a Patient Group Direction. Book a time at any of our six branches or walk in.
Book or find out more →We use essential cookies to make the site work — things like your basket, sign-in and secure checkout. With your permission we’d also like to use analytics cookies to understand how the site is used and improve it. See our cookie policy.
