The shingles vaccine will be offered to almost one million more people in England in the coming months. The Shingrix jab is currently available to those aged over 70 but will be given to anyone who is severely immunosuppressed and over 50 from September 1.
Those turning 65 and 70 will also be eligible for the vaccine after their birthday. As a result of the move by the NHS, the jab is expected to reach an additional 900,000 people. By September 2028, it will also be expanded to those aged 60 and over.
People can contract shingles at any age, but complications can occur in people with weakened immune systems. It is not contagious, but develops in people who have previously had chicken pox.
