From the 1st September, around 300,000 more people in England will become eligible for a potentially lifesaving shingles vaccination, as the NHS expands its programme to include severely immunosuppressed adults aged 18 to 49.
The vaccine, Shingrix®, will be available via GP practices, which will begin contacting eligible patients over the coming weeks. Those newly eligible include individuals with conditions such as leukaemia, lymphoma, or those undergoing chemotherapy, who are at greater risk of serious illness if they contract shingles.
Previously, the NHS offered the shingles vaccine to severely immunosuppressed individuals aged 50 and over, as well as those aged 65 to 79. The latest expansion follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which found that younger immunosuppressed adults face similar risks of hospitalisation and complications.
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. It affects 1 in 5 people in their lifetime and can lead to serious complications such as:
- Post-herpetic neuralgia (persistent nerve pain)
- Eye problems
- Pneumonia
- Hepatitis
- Brain inflammation
Eligible individuals will receive two doses of Shingrix®, with the second dose administered 8 weeks to 6 months after the first. The vaccine is non-live, making it suitable for people with weakened immune systems.
National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, Dr Amanda Doyle, said:
“Shingles can be seriously debilitating for older people and those with a severely weakened immune system, so following the latest expert guidance, the NHS is now expanding the potentially lifesaving jab to all severely immunosuppressed adults.
“The vaccine is safe and effective and significantly reduces the chance of developing shingles and becoming seriously unwell, so I’d urge anyone newly eligible to come forward for their protection as soon as possible."
The JCVI estimates that prior to the introduction of the shingles vaccination programme in 2013, there were over 4,500 hospital admissions annually due to shingles. Within the first three years of the programme, there were 17,000 fewer episodes of shingles and 3,300 fewer cases of post-herpetic neuralgia.
Patient organisations have welcomed the expansion, which will help protect thousands more vulnerable individuals and reduce pressure on NHS services.
Image credit: iStock
