Home > My health > Leicester’s health priorities > Older people > Shingles vaccination
Shingles vaccination
Shingles is more common in people who are over 50 years of age. The vaccination is now being offered to patients aged 70 and 79. Find out more here.
Shingles is an infection of a nerve and the skin around it. It is caused by the herpes varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox.
Most people have chickenpox in childhood, but after the illness has gone, the virus remains dormant but can be reactivated in later life and cause shingles. Shingles can occur at any age, but is most common in people who are over 50 years of age.
It is thought that this is because older people have a lower immunity.
This vaccine will be routinely offered on the NHS to older people from September 1 2013. It will be given as a single injection for anyone aged 70 or 79 and, unlike some jabs, you won’t need to be revaccinated every year.
You may also find useful:
- Find out about the NHS Check that is available from your GP practice for those under 75
- Get more healthy living advice for women who are over 60
- Learn how men over 60 can look after their health
- Read in City Health how our health and social care coordinators are helping older people to remain independent in their own homes
