Shingles Vaccination
Shingles can be uncomfortable and for some people can be very painful and last a long time. A national immunisation programme offers people over the age of 70 a one-dose vaccination to help prevent shingles. There is also a catch-up programme being rolled out to those aged 70-79 years.
You become eligible for the vaccine on the first day of September after you've turned 70 and remain so until the last day of August the following year.
Unlike the flu jab, you'll only need to have the vaccination once and you can have it at any time of the year. You can have the shingles vaccine at the same time as the flu vaccination.
Visit NHS Choices or Shingles Aware for more information about the Shingles or the Shingles Vaccination.
2015 Programme
You become eligible if you were born between:
02/09/1942 and 01/09/1945 - aged 70, 71 or 72 on 1st September 2015
02/09/1935 and 01/09/1937 - aged 78 or 79 on 1st September 2015
Once you reach you 80th birthday, you are no longer eligible.
2014 Programme
You become eligible if you were born between:
02/09/1943 and 01/09/1944 - aged 70 on 1st September 2014
02/09/1935 and 01/09/1936 - aged 78 on 1st September 2014
02/09/1934 and 01/09/1935 - aged 79 on 1st September 2014
Once you reach you 80th birthday, you are no longer eligible.