The Public Health Agency (PHA) has announced it will expand the shingles vaccination programme from this month to provide protection against what can be an extremely painful condition.

The move is based on a recommendation by the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) after clinical trials demonstrated the vaccine's high effectiveness and safety in a wider group of people.

Currently, the vaccine is offered to people aged 65 and 70, as well as those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system. From 1 September, the programme will be extended to include anyone aged 18 and over with a severely weakened immune system, who will be able to receive two doses of the Shingrix vaccine. Rachel Spiers, Immunisation and Vaccination Programme Manager at the PHA, said that while shingles can affect people of any age, the risk and severity increase with age and in individuals with a weakened immune system. She added that the vaccine "can significantly reduce the risk of people developing shingles and experiencing nasty symptoms," and urged anyone eligible to get vaccinated.

The PHA also noted that shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus "reawakening" in the body, which is typically triggered by older age, certain medicines, illness, or stress. The first signs can be a painful rash that can lead to long-lasting complications.

For further information see www.pha.site/shingles.