NHS shingles vaccine ‘could be on the horizon’

A vaccine that protects against shingles could be offered to people aged between 70 and 79, it has emerged.

Gillian Merron, the current public health minister, made the announcement recently, stating that a vaccination programme has moved one step closer to completion.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that the vaccine be offered to people within this age bracket, pending the initiative’s cost-effectiveness.

Additionally, the Department of Health highlighted that the project is covered by provisions in the NHS constitution.

It states that if the JCVI advises a viable and affordable vaccine programme, patients have the right to access the inoculation through the health service.

Ms Merron said: “Shingles is an unpleasant illness which can be very serious, especially for older people. I welcome the recommendation from the experts on immunisation that we should look for a cost-effective vaccine.”

People who have previously had chickenpox are at risk of developing shingles, with the first symptoms being sensitive, tingling or burning skin before the development of a rash.