New Shingles Vaccine Expands Eligibility in Northern Ireland

Plans have been unveiled to expand the shingles vaccination program in Northern Ireland starting September 1, 2025. This initiative aims to offer protection against shingles, a condition known for its painful symptoms and potential long-lasting complications. Currently, the vaccine is available to individuals aged 65 and 70, as well as those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system.

Beginning next year, anyone aged 18 or older who is severely immunosuppressed will qualify for two doses of the Shingrix vaccine, according to the Public Health Agency (PHA). This change follows a recommendation from the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which cited clinical trials demonstrating the vaccine’s high effectiveness and safety for this broader group.

Understanding Shingles and Its Risks

Rachel Spiers, Immunisation and Vaccination Programme Manager at the PHA, emphasized the importance of the vaccine, stating, “Shingles can occur at any age, but the risk and severity of shingles and its complications increase with age and is higher in individuals who have a severely weakened immune system.”

Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus in individuals previously infected, cannot be transmitted from one person to another. Symptoms often begin with pain or tingling in a specific area of skin, which is then followed by a rash. The rash is frequently accompanied by significant pain that can persist long after it has healed.

The vaccine is designed to significantly decrease the risk of developing shingles and alleviate the severity of symptoms if the condition does occur. Spiers added, “It is therefore vital that anyone eligible, even if you think you may not be at risk, gets the vaccine.”

Eligibility and Vaccination Process

Individuals eligible for the vaccine will be contacted by their general practitioner (GP) to arrange for vaccination. The Shingrix vaccine is administered as an injection in the upper arm, requiring two doses spaced at least six months apart. For those with a weakened immune system, the second dose should be taken at least two months after the first.

It is noteworthy that individuals who missed the opportunity for vaccination can still receive the vaccine up until their 80th birthday. Those who believe they qualify but have not yet been vaccinated are encouraged to reach out to their GP practice for further guidance.

For additional information, individuals can visit the PHA’s official website at www.pha.site/shingles.