Shingles is the chickenpox virus waking up in a nerve, years or decades later. It causes a painful, blistering rash on one side of the body, and for a significant minority the nerve pain (post-herpetic neuralgia) lasts months or longer. Risk climbs steeply from 50.
Shingrix is a two-dose, non-live vaccine that is over 90% effective and safe for people with weakened immunity. The NHS programme starts at 65 (with a phased roll-out to 60–64 and older cohorts). Anyone 50 or over — or 18 and over if immunocompromised — can have it privately at any of our branches.
If you do get shingles, antiviral tablets within 72 hours of the rash reduce its severity — the NHS Pharmacy First shingles pathway covers that free for adults, and our pharmacists can assess you the same day.
15-minute pharmacist consultation, supplied under a Patient Group Direction. Book a time at your branch or walk in.
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