Shingrix added in UK’s NHS vaccination program from 1 Sept
London
Britain on Tuesday announced to roll out Shingrix vaccine to its elderly population under National Health Service (NHS) Shingles Vaccination program.
The NHS was earlier giving two doses of Zostavax as a precautionary measure to avoid shingles in the population aged above 50 years.
The new change will be applicable from 1 September 2023 wherein all eligible senior citizens will be eligible for 2 doses of the non-live shingles vaccine, Shingrix.
The decision of the UK government is based on the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to protect its vulnerable population at an earlier age.
Shingle is a viral disease that causes painful rashes (herpes zoster) on the body and it is caused by the varicella-zoster virus which also causes chickenpox.
Sometimes after having chickenpox, the virus which is immunosuppressed at that time, remains in the body and can also occur as Shingles in later stages of life.
The virus can reappear in an individual body if his immune system weakens.
“Although shingles can occur at any age, the risk and severity of shingles and its complications increases with age and is high in individuals who are immunosuppressed,” a UK government official said.
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