Shingles Vaccination programme

Shingles is a common infection that causes a painful rash and can sometimes lead to long-term complications such as nerve pain, hearing loss or even vision problems. It is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which most people contracted in childhood. 

The risk of shingles increases as we get older or if we have a weakened immune system.

The shingles vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and reduce your chances of severe illness.

Who is eligible for the shingles vaccine?

People aged 65, 66 or 67 on 01 September 2025.

• People aged 70 or over on 01 September 2025 until their 80th birthday.
• People aged 18 or over with a severely weakened immune system.
• People aged 18 or over who have received a stem cell transplant or CAR-T therapy within the last 2 years. If you have recently had a stem cell transplant, you must wait 6 months before taking the shingles vaccine.
• People who are about to start immunosuppressive therapy and are aged 18 or over and whose doctor has advised them they should receive the shingles vaccine.

People who are aged 18 or over who have previously received the Zostavax shingles vaccine and have since been identified as having a severely weakened immune system will now be invited for a further two doses of the recommended Shingrix shingles vaccine. This will offer you the best level of protection and further reduce the risk of developing shingles.

Why get vaccinated?

The shingles vaccine helps to:

• Reduce your risk of getting shingles
• Reduce the severity and risk of complications if you do get shingles

Even if you’ve had shingles before, you can still get it again, so vaccination is still recommended.

When will I get contacted?

If you are eligible, you will be contacted by the NHS Grampian immunisation team to offer you an appointment. The programme is delivered between January – August each year.

Getting protected takes just a few minutes and could prevent weeks of severe pain and long-term complications.

Vaccine used: Shingrix®

Shingrix® is a non-live vaccine recommended for all eligible groups. It replaces the previous vaccine (Zostavax®) and offers strong protection, especially for older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Individuals not yet eligible

If you were aged 68-69 years on 1 September 2025, you’ll be eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 70 years of age, unless you have an eligible health condition.

It is recognised that some people may be disappointed that they are not yet included in the age group to be offered a shingles vaccine this year.

When any vaccination programme is introduced or extended, recommendations are made about who will be offered the vaccine and when they will be invited to come forward. These decisions are based on a combination of factors, including the risk of the disease and the effectiveness of the vaccine in different age groups.

This phased approach is based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and to ensure that NHS Scotland can deliver the programme effectively alongside other immunisation programmes.

If you’re unsure if you’re eligible, you can use the age eligibility calculator on www.nhsinform.scot/shingles to confirm.