Healthy Surrey:

Healthy Surrey

Changes to the shingles vaccine programme

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England published a bipartite letter laying out changes to the shingles vaccination programme.

From 1 September 2023, all newly eligible individuals will be offered two doses of the non-live shingles vaccine Shingrix® instead of Zostavax®. In addition to this, the eligibility for the immunocompromised and immunocompetent cohorts will change to allow individuals to be protected at an earlier age. This is based on recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Full details of the changes can be found in the bipartite letter.

Although shingles can occur at any age, the risk and severity of shingles and its complications increases with age and is high in individuals who are immunosuppressed. It is important to ensure that those at greatest risk are vaccinated at an earlier age and this forms the basis of the JCVI recommendations.

This letter is aimed at health professionals who are responsible for commissioning and operationally delivering the national NHS shingles vaccination programme. The letter includes key points on change of vaccine and changes to eligibility of the programme, information and guidance for healthcare professionals, vaccine coverage data collection, and supporting national shingles programme resources.