Free shingles vaccinations available for over 70s
Did you know? 1 in 3 people will develop shingles in their lifetime.
FREE vaccinations are available at our medical practice for people aged 70 – 79 years.
What is it?
Shingles is an infection of an individual nerve and the skin surface that is supplied by the nerve; it is caused by the varicella-zoster virus - the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Shingles is the reactivation of the chickenpox virus and is a common condition with risk and related complications increasing with age. 97% of adults have the virus that has shingles within them and there is no way to predict who will develop shingles, when the virus will reactivate, how severe it will be and how long the pain will last.
Who can get it?
Anyone who has recovered from chickenpox, child or adult, can get shingles.
You cannot catch shingles from someone who has shingles. But, if you have not had chickenpox you can catch chickenpox by being in direct contact with fluid on the blisters of someone who has shingles.
What are the common symptoms?
The most common symptom of shingles is a painful, blistering rash, usually on one side of the body. People who have shingles often say the pain is excruciating, making it hard to sleep, walk or enjoy everyday life.
Symptoms usually last between 2-4 weeks. Pain sometimes persists after the rash has gone, more commonly in people over the age of 50.
Who is eligible for the free vaccination?
The shingles vaccination is free for all adults 70 years of age from November 2016.
A single catch-up dose will be funded for adults aged 71–79 years until 31 October 2021.
Ask your GP about getting vaccinated today.
Book an appointment now, call 4352 8600 or book online.
Download our free app today ‘high quality health care’ from your app store to book an appointment online
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