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Shingles Vaccination

Shingles (also known as herpes zoster) is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus.

After people have chickenpox – usually as a child – the virus travels up a nerve root and lies dormant (inactive) inside you, near the spine. Later in life the virus can reactivate and cause shingles. Why this happens is not completely clear, but the immune system weakens as we get older making it more likely for the virus to reactivate.

Shingles tends to occur more often in older people and is usually characterised by a painful rash on one side of the body, which develops into fluid-filled blisters that can be painful and itchy.

Effective prevention of Shingles can be achieved by having the Shingles Vaccine

Vaccination is currently being offered to those who are aged 70 to 76, 78 and 79, and to anyone aged 77 who was born after 1st September 1942-call our Reception team to book.

Click here for more information