The shingles vaccine will be offered to nearly 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.
According to the NHS, at least nine in ten adults carry the virus which causes shingles after previously having chicken pox in childhood.
One in three adults will experience the virus, which usually affects one part of the body and leads to rashes, sore skin and fluid-filled blisters. In some cases, shingles can result in blindness, hearing loss, nerve pain and death.
Before the virus reaches that point though, there are some key indicators of an infection which, if caught early, can allow you to get your life back on track.
What are the symptoms of shingles?
The symptoms can vary from person to person, but typically include:
- Pain: The feeling can be described as burning, tingling, or shooting and may be localised to the area where the rash appears. The pain may be a constant, dull or burning sensation. The affected area of skin will usually be tender.
- Rash: This usually develops on one side of your body, as blotches on the area of skin related to the affected nerve. It can appear anywhere, including on your face, eyes and genitals, and can last for up to a week.
- Sensitivity to touch: The affected area of skin will usually be tender and sensitive to touch. Even light touch or pressure can cause pain.
- Blistering: The rash may develop into fluid-filled blisters, which are usually limited to the area where the rash appears and do not cross the midline of the body. A few days after appearing they become yellowish in colour, flatten and dry out.
- Itching: Some people with shingles may experience itching or tingling in the affected area of skin before the rash appears.
- Flu-like symptoms: In some cases, people with shingles may also experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, chills and feeling generally unwell.
- Nerve-related symptoms: Shingles can affect the nerves, leading to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the area where the rash appears.
Anyone who suspects they have shingles should get advice from 111, their GP or a pharmacist, says the NHS.
You should avoid anyone pregnant who has not had chickenpox before, people with a weakened immune system (like someone having chemotherapy) and babies less than one month old (unless you gave birth to them).
To treat symptoms at home, it is recommended to; take paracetamol, keep the rash as dry and clean as possible, wear loose-fitting clothing, use a cool damp cloth to soothe the skin and try calamine lotion to help relieve itching.
While there is no cure for the virus, early treatment can help to ease symptoms and reduce the risk of any complications.
Steve Russell, national director of vaccinations and screening at NHS England, said: "While the country has been focused on the NHS's successful Covid and flu vaccine programmes, there remain other preventable illnesses like shingles which can be fatal to those most at risk.
"With a quarter of people getting shingles in their lifetime, and with it being one of the few conditions that cannot achieve herd immunity, the expansion of the programme will provide peace of mind to hundreds of thousands and save lives."
