Shingles Vacccination

[ethelburga]

Does anyone know if one can request this to be had privately?

[Sqad]

Yes, of course you can...............you can have anything if you want to pay.

If you are over 70 yrs of age, I think that you can geyt it free on the NHS.

Someone will soon be along with a link.....

[woofgang]

the over 70 thing is not quite true, you have to be in a quite narrow age band to get it free.
"Who can have the shingles vaccine?

Anyone aged 70 on September 1 2013 (born between 2/9/42 and 1/9/43) is eligible for the new shingles vaccine on the NHS.
If you were aged 79 on September 1 2013 (born between 2/9/33 and 1/9/34), you will also be able to have the shingles vaccine on the NHS as part of a catch-up programme.
If you were aged 71 to 78 on September 1 2013, your next opportunity to have the shingles vaccine will be when you reach the age of 79. The reason the shingles vaccination programme is being staggered this way, is that it would be impractical to vaccinate everyone in their 70s in a single year.
Anyone aged 80 and over on September 1 2013 will not be able to have the shingles vaccination on the NHS because it seems to be less effective as you get older. However, there may be some people aged 79 on September 1 2013 who will have turned 80 by the time they attend for vaccination, and they remain entitled to receive the vaccine."

You can get it privately. Its way cheaper and easier to get in the US which may be helpful if you take a holiday over there and don't mind the slight risk of getting side effects while on hols.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/shingles-vaccination.aspx

[boxtops]

Thanks woof, I was just going to post a link - as you say, at the moment, there are quite narrow age bands at either end of the 70s.

[slaney]

From the NHS website that woofgang has given a link to

"Can I have the shingles vaccination privately?
The shingles jab is available privately for anyone over the age of 50. It's expensive and in very short supply, though. Expect to pay between £100 and £200. Your GP can advise on whether it's safe for you to have, but you may need to visit a private clinic to arrange this."

I don't qualify, but I'm hoping that the fact that I helped to look after my granddaughter when she had chickenpox a few years ago will have given my immunity a boost.

[ethelburga]

Thanks one and all for the info. Bit surprised that it could cost me so much, but I've always had a fear of getting shingles, so may go for it.