UK shingles vaccine: changes from 1 September 2023

1 August 2023. Related: Guidelines, Coinfections and complications.

Simon Collins, HIV i-Base

On 4 July 2023, UKHSA published a letter outlining upcoming changes to the UK shingles vaccine programme.

These include expanding access to the vaccine at an earlier age for people with a weakened immune system.

The changes are based on recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Hundreds of thousands more people will then be able to get protected against shingles each year.

The vaccine that is used in the programme is also changing. All newly eligible individuals will be offered two doses of the non-live vaccine Shingrix instead of the live vaccine Zostavax.

Those aged 70-79 will still be able to get the shingles vaccine from their GP. They will either be offered one dose of Zostavax or two doses of Shingrix (6 to 12 months apart).
All those aged 50 and over with a weakened immune system will be offered two doses of the Shingrix vaccine by their GP practice (8 weeks to 6 months apart).
Those turning 65 and 70 will be offered two doses of the Shingrix vaccine (6 to 12 months apart) by their GP practice as they become eligible (eligibility will go down to 60 years old in September 2028).

Source

UKHSA. Shingles vaccination programme: changes from September 2023 letter. (4 July 2023).
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/shingles-vaccination-programme-changes-from-september-2023-letter

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