Shingles vaccine to be offered to immunosuppressed adults
GP practices are contacting people aged 18 to 49 and who have a severely weakened immune system to offer them the potentially lifesaving Shingrix® shingles vaccination. It’s being offered to people who have conditions such as leukaemia or lymphoma or those who are undergoing chemotherapy, which put them at greater risk of becoming seriously unwell if they contract shingles.
Shingles is caused by the same virus which causes chickenpox, varicella zoster, and can cause a painful rash, typically lasting two to four weeks. Although most people make a full recovery, it can cause serious problems including persistent pain, eye problems, pneumonia, hepatitis and inflammation of the brain. People who are severely immunosuppressed are most at risk of serious illness and complications from shingles and at risk of being admitted to hospital.
Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS England’s national director for primary care and community services said: “The vaccine is safe and effective and significantly reduces the chance of developing shingles and becoming seriously unwell and I would urge anyone newly eligible to come forward for their protection as soon as possible. Even if you’ve had shingles before, you can develop it again, so please still come forward for the offer.”
The vaccination will still be offered to anyone older than 50 who has a severely weakened immune system. Read: NHS England » Shingles vaccine to be offered to hundreds of thousands more immunosuppressed adults
Think Pharmacy First
If needed, your pharmacist can now provide some prescription Medicine, without seeing a GP. You can be treated for seven common conditions:
- Insect bites
- Sinusitis
- UTIs
- Shingles
- Impetigo
- Earache
- Sore throat
For more information visit: NHS – Think Pharmacy First
