From 01 September 2023 the following groups will be eligible for shingles vaccination in Scotland:
- People aged 50 or over, about to start immunosuppressive therapy.
- People aged 50 or over, with a severely weakened immune system.
- People who were aged 70 on 01 September 2023.
- People aged 71 – 79 who have not previously been vaccinated.
- People who were aged 65 on 01 September 2023.
The offer will then expand to those turning both 60 and 65 years and by 2033 the vaccine will be routinely offered to everyone aged 60 and over.
This means that people who were aged 66-69 on 01 September 2023 will become eligible for the vaccination from the 01 September after their 70th birthday.
From September 2023 the non-live version of the Shingles vaccination will be used. Please see the CMO letter about the 2023-24 Shingles vaccination programme for more detail: https://apps.nhslothian.scot/files/sites/2/Shingles-Vaccination-Programme-2023-24.pdf
Please note that the routine vaccination of shingles programme is de-prioritised during the delivery of the flu / COVID-19 programmes.
Please also see advice about investigating recurrent shingles – the Green Book advises advising considering whether the patient has an underlying immune deficiency to account for this.
C.M & K.McL 12-12-23
