Your Shingles Vaccination Invitation

Your Shingles Vaccination Invitation

Key Information:

• You have received an invitation because you fall into a specific age group or category that is now eligible for this free NHS vaccine.
• The ‘Sleeping’ Virus: Almost everyone had chickenpox as a child. The virus does not leave the body but stays inactive in your nervous system. As we get older, our immune system weakens, which can allow the virus to reactivate as shingles.
• The Symptoms: Shingles causes a painful, blistering rash. While the rash often heals in a few weeks, some people develop severe, long-lasting nerve pain that can persist for months or years.
• The Protection: The vaccine is the most effective way to protect yourself. It boosts your immune system’s defences, significantly reducing the risk of developing the illness and its complications.