3 February 2023
Throughout February, NHS Borders is offering shingles vaccinations to people across the region who are aged 70 to 79 years old. Please note that you must have turned 70 years old by 1 September 2022 to be eligible at this time.
Clinics will take place in community locations across the Borders, with alternative arrangements being made for patients who are housebound or who live in residential, care or nursing homes.
Shingles can be a very painful nerve and skin condition and is more common among older people, but even younger people can experience it. Having the shingles vaccine can reduce your chance of developing shingles, or if you do get shingles, it can make the symptoms milder.
Shingles is caused by a virus called varicella zoster, the same virus that causes chickenpox. When you recover from chickenpox most of this virus is destroyed, but some survives and lies inactive in your body’s nervous system. The virus can then become active again later in life, when your immune system has been weakened. This is why it is important to get vaccinated against the condition when you get older.
If you have not already received a shingles vaccination and meet the eligibility criteria above, please call NHS Borders Vaccination Hub on 01896 809250 to make an appointment.
Dr Sohail Bhatti, Director of Public Health at NHS Borders, said: “Having the shingles vaccination is highly beneficial, as it can prevent you from getting shingles, or reduce the severity of your symptoms if you do get it.
“As we get older, our immune systems have often been weakened by age, stress, illness, or certain medical treatments, so getting the shingles vaccine is particularly important in helping to boost your immunity to this viral condition.”