Shingles vaccine to be offered to more people

News - 12 September 2023

Eligible adults in the Black Country can now receive the shingles vaccine.

Shingles is an extremely painful condition which can develop after a chicken pox infection. It can occur at any age, but the risk and severity of shingles and its complications increase with age and is higher in individuals who have a severely weakened immune system.

Some cases can result in serious symptoms such as blindness, hearing loss, nerve pain and potentially death, however the shingles vaccine can significantly reduce the risk of people developing shingles and experiencing nasty symptoms. The shingles vaccine was previously offered to adults aged over 70. However, following
recommendation from the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the vaccine will now be offered to those anyone who is severely immunosuppressed and over 50 from 1 September. Those turning 65 and 70 will also be eligible for the vaccine after their birthday. It means thousands more people in the Black Country will be able to get protected against shingles each year.

There are two vaccines that are used in the shingles vaccination programme. Which vaccine you will be given depends on your age and immune status, your GP will advise on this. Both provide effective protection against shingles and once your course is completed, you will not need any more shingles vaccines.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “Shingles is a virus that can occur at any age, but the risk and severity of shingles and its complications increase with age.

“It can’t be caught from other people, instead it develops in people who have previously been infected with chickenpox over their lifetime. The virus is typically reactivated in older age, or by certain medicines, illness or stress.

“Having the vaccination if you are eligible is really important. It can prevent you from getting shingles or reduce the severity of the symptoms if you do get it. “From 1 September 2023, your GP practice should invite you for the shingles vaccination as you turn 65 or 70, or if you are aged over 50 and have a weakened immune system. If they don’t you can make an appointment yourself by contacting your GP.”

For more information on the shingles vaccination, visit the NHS website Click Here

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Get vaccinated and protect yourself this winter

Eligible people in the Black Country are being invited to come forward for a flu and COVID19 vaccine from this week.

The vaccination programmes are set to start from Thursday 3 October 2024, with appointments
available to book now.

Similar to last year, those eligible for a COVID-19 and flu vaccine include:
• all adults aged 65 years and over
• people who live in a care home for older adults
• people aged 6 months to 64 years with health conditions that make them more vulnerable
• frontline health and social care staff, including in care homes for older adults
• pregnant women.

The flu vaccine is also available to children aged 2 to 3 years, school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) and children with certain long-term health conditions.

Eligible people can book an appointment via the NHS website, on the NHS App or by calling 119.
Community pop-up clinics are also being hosted at a range of locations in the Black Country, with flu and COVID-19 vaccines available for eligible adults on a walk-in basis, with no appointment necessary. To find your nearest pop-up clinic, visit the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) website here.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS Black Country ICB, said: "It’s vital that everyone prepares for potential winter illnesses, especially those who are at higher risk.

“It can be easy to become complacent, however it’s important for those who are eligible to top up
their protection, even if they have had a vaccine or been ill with flu or COVID-19 before, as
immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.
“Vaccines remain our best defence, keeping people from developing serious illnesses and helping
to minimise hospitalisations during busy winter months. So, I would encourage anyone who
receives an invite for either vaccine to please get booked in as soon as possible.”
Calls to 119 are free from mobiles and landlines and the booking service provides support in
200 different languages. Those who have difficulties communicating or hearing or are a BSL user
can use textphone 18001 or the NHS 119 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service.
Advice and Information

RSV vaccine to be offered in the Black Country

Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), from 1 September 2024 the NHS will invite everyone aged 75 to 79 to come forward for a free vaccine to protect them from RSV.

Pregnant women are also being offered the vaccine from 28 weeks into their pregnancy to help protect their babies from RSV for the first few months after they’re born.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “RSV is a major cause of respiratory illness and can be particularly dangerous for infants and the elderly. It can occur all year round, but cases peak each winter leaving thousands of vulnerable people needing hospital care.

“The RSV vaccine is safe and effective and is the best way to protect yourself against infections caused by RSV. This is a new vaccination programme that will protect thousands of people from serious illness each winter, keeping more people out of hospital and from needing to see a GP.

“I would encourage everyone who receives an invite to come forward and get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Older adults will be offered the RSV vaccination by their GP practice. Pregnant women over 28 weeks will be offered the vaccine by the maternity service they are receiving antenatal care from.
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