Older people approaching 80 urged to get shingles vaccine

People approaching the age of 80 have been called upon to make sure they have been vaccinated against shingles.

Public Health England has issued a reminder to those aged 79 years who have previously been offered shingles vaccine but have not yet received it to make sure they do so before their 80th birthday.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, leader of the shingles vaccine programme at Public Health England, said: "Since the introduction of the shingles vaccine, there has been a considerable reduction in the number of cases attending GP practices, among those groups eligible for vaccination."

The vaccine was originally introduced in September 2013 and offered to those aged 70, with an ongoing catch-up programme to ensure everyone is offered the vaccine before their 80th birthday.

For the 2015-16 programme, people aged 78 years on September 2015 have also been offered the vaccine as part of this catch-up programme. In addition, those eligible for the vaccine in the previous two years of the programme but missed out remain eligible until they turn 80.