The shingles vaccine was previously available as part of the national immunisation programme to those aged 70 years old and over. In 2019, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended that the shingles vaccination programme should be offered to everyone at 60 years old, rather than 70 years old. In 2026, after reviewing updated modelling, the JCVI confirmed that this recommendation should remain.

Based on the JCVI’s initial recommendation, and following an assessment of effective use of National Health Service resources and careful consideration of individual risk and population benefit, the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, and NHS England agreed that the expansion of the shingles vaccination programme would be rolled out in phases.

Phase 1 takes place between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2028. In this current phase, individuals reaching 65 or 70 years old should be called in on or after their 65th or 70th birthday. Phase 2 will take place from 1 September 2028 to 31 August 2033. During this phase, individuals reaching 60 or 65 years old should be called in on or after their 60th or 65th birthday. From 1 September 2033 onwards, vaccination will be routinely offered to individuals turning 60 years old on or after their 60th birthday.

Phasing the roll-out of the shingles vaccination over time to everyone aged 60 years old maximises cost effectiveness, ensures continuity in messaging over time to maximise coverage, and maintains a consistent approach from all four nations in the United Kingdom.

The Government is considering the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s advice on shingles vaccinations, examining factors including clinical benefits, affordability and cost effectiveness.

No decision has yet been taken on any expansion of the existing shingles vaccination programme to include adults aged 80 years old or over.

For any routine vaccination programme which the Government decides to implement, efforts to introduce or expand the programme are determined by factors including availability of supply, contractual arrangement on supply, affordability, workforce capacity and impact on other programmes.

The Government is considering the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s advice on shingles vaccinations, examining factors including clinical benefits, affordability and cost effectiveness.

No decision has yet been taken on any expansion of the existing shingles vaccination programme to include adults aged 80 years old or over.

For any routine vaccination programme which the Government decides to implement, efforts to introduce or expand the programme are determined by factors including availability of supply, contractual arrangement on supply, affordability, workforce capacity and impact on other programmes.

The Government is considering the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s advice on shingles vaccinations, examining factors including clinical benefits, affordability and cost effectiveness.

No decision has yet been taken on any expansion of the existing shingles vaccination programme to include adults aged 80 years old or over.

For any routine vaccination programme which the Government decides to implement, efforts to introduce or expand the programme are determined by factors including availability of supply, contractual arrangement on supply, affordability, workforce capacity and impact on other programmes.

The Government is considering the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s advice on shingles vaccinations, examining factors including clinical benefits, affordability and cost effectiveness.

No decision has yet been taken on any expansion of the existing shingles vaccination programme to include adults aged 80 years old or over.

For any routine vaccination programme which the Government decides to implement, efforts to introduce or expand the programme are determined by factors including availability of supply, contractual arrangement on supply, affordability, workforce capacity and impact on other programmes.

The Government is considering the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s advice on shingles vaccinations, examining factors including clinical benefits, affordability and cost effectiveness.

No decision has yet been taken on any expansion of the existing shingles vaccination programme to include adults aged 80 years old or over.

For any routine vaccination programme which the Government decides to implement, efforts to introduce or expand the programme are determined by factors including availability of supply, contractual arrangement on supply, affordability, workforce capacity and impact on other programmes.

Modelling which estimated the cost of shingles-related general practice attendance and hospitalisation was considered by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). In November 2024, JCVI advised that adults aged 80 years old and over should become eligible for shingles vaccination.

The Government is still carefully considering this advice and examining factors including affordability and cost-effectiveness, the last of which is calculated based on the health benefits and costs of vaccinating this cohort. This process is being worked through as quickly as possible.

For any routine vaccination programme which the Government has agreed to implement, decisions on when to introduce or expand the programme are based on factors including availability of supply, feasibility of workforce delivery and affordability.

The second phase of the routine shingles vaccination programme for immunocompetent adults is due to begin on 1 September 2028, after which adults will become eligible at age between 60 and 65 years old.

The second phase of the routine shingles vaccination programme for immunocompetent adults is due to begin on 1 September 2028, after which adults will become eligible at age 60 and 65 years old.

The Government is considering the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s advice on expanding shingles vaccination to adults aged 80 years old and over.

Shingles incidence is not routinely collected and published. We therefore do not hold an estimate of the number of shingles cases likely to occur in these age cohorts in these timeframes.

The Government is carefully considering the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI’s) advice on expanding shingles vaccination to adults aged 80 years old and over. We are working through this process as quickly as possible.

Adults turning 60 years of age will become eligible for shingles vaccination from 1 September 2028 through a phased implementation process concluding in September 2033. Thereafter, shingles vaccination will be offered routinely to immunocompetent adults at 60 years of age. This approach is in line with JCVI advice and helps maximise cost-effectiveness and population benefit, takes account of National Health Service delivery capacity, and is consistent with the approach taken across all four nations of the United Kingdom.

The Government is carefully considering the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI’s) advice on expanding shingles vaccination to adults aged 80 years old and over. We are working through this process as quickly as possible.

Adults turning 60 years of age will become eligible for shingles vaccination from 1 September 2028 through a phased implementation process concluding in September 2033. Thereafter, shingles vaccination will be offered routinely to immunocompetent adults at 60 years of age. This approach is in line with JCVI advice and helps maximise cost-effectiveness and population benefit, takes account of National Health Service delivery capacity, and is consistent with the approach taken across all four nations of the United Kingdom.

In November 2024, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) provided advice on eligibility for the shingles vaccination programme for adults aged 80 years old and over. The Government continues to carefully consider the JCVI’s advice.

We are taking key steps to ensure the National Health Service is prepared for the colder months. This winter, approximately half a million more people were vaccinated against flu compared to the previous season, though we know there is further to go next winter. We are undertaking a comprehensive ‘lessons learned’ review to help us identify what worked well, where persistent pressures remain, and what actions we need to prioritise going into next winter.

Currently, adults become eligible for their shingles vaccination when they turn 65 or 70 years of age, and they remain eligible until their 79th birthday. Adults who are severely immunosuppressed, and therefore most at risk of serious illness and complications from shingles, are eligible from 18 years old and do not have an upper age limit.

The shingles vaccination programme has been in place since 2013, and therefore there will be a significant portion of adults currently aged 80 years old and over who were offered, and received, Zostavax, the previous shingles vaccine. All those who were born after 1 September 1933 would have been offered a vaccine in the programme.

In November 2024, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation provided advice to the Government on eligibility for the shingles vaccination programme. This included advice that the Government should consider expanding the shingles vaccination offer to include older adult cohorts aged 80 years old and over. The Government is carefully considering this advice as it sets the policy on who should be offered shingles vaccinations in the future.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is an independent departmental expert committee which advises the Government on matters related to vaccination and immunisation.

In November 2024, the JCVI provided advice to the Government on eligibility for the shingles vaccination programme. This included advice that the Government should consider expanding the shingles vaccination offer to include older adult cohorts aged 80 years old and over, regardless of whether these older individuals have previously been eligible for, or have been vaccinated with, Zostavax. The Department is carefully considering this advice as it sets the policy on who should be offered shingles vaccinations.

Following a request from the Department, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) briefly discussed the emerging evidence on the link between shingles vaccination and dementia in its June 2025 meeting.

It was noted that results were consistent across different vaccines and different observational studies and had some potential biological plausibility. However, based on currently available data, this possible benefit was not quantifiable due to the high chance of bias in many of these observational studies.

For these reasons, no change to the current JCVI recommendation on shingles vaccination could be advised at this time. The JCVI continues to monitor emerging evidence relating to all immunisation programmes, including on the potential link between shingles vaccination and dementia, keeping its advice under review.

From September 2023, the routine shingles vaccination programme changed from the one-dose Zostavax vaccine to the two-dose Shingrix vaccine, to better protect individuals from the effects of shingles, provide better clinical outcomes, and reduce pressures on the health system. The programme was also expanded, and as a result, almost one million more people became eligible for the shingles vaccination.

The expansion to individuals aged 60 years old is being rolled out in phases to maximise cost-effectiveness and population benefit, ensure consistent messaging to maximise coverage, and take account of National Health Service capacity, all while being consistent with the approach taken by all four nations in the United Kingdom. During the first phase, which commenced in September 2023, those who reach the ages of 65 or 70 years old will be called in for vaccination on or after their 65th or 70th birthday. During the second phase, from September 2028, individuals will be called in for vaccination on or after their 60th or 65th birthday. From 1 September 2033 onwards, vaccination will be routinely offered to those turning 60 years of age on or after their 60th birthday.

At this point in the year, the majority of individuals born in 1955 will have turned 70 years old and therefore will now be eligible for their vaccination. Those who have not yet turned 70 years old but were already 65 years old or over before 1 September 2023 will become eligible when they turn 70 years old.

As of September 2025, all severely immunosuppressed individuals aged 18 years old and over became eligible for shingles vaccination. This is because individuals who are severely immunosuppressed are most at risk of serious illness and complications from shingles, and so it is particularly important that they are protected against this disease.

This is a relatively newly expanded programme, and anyone unsure if they are eligible for the shingles vaccination should check online, on the NHS.UK website, or should speak to their general practitioner.

From September 2023, the routine shingles vaccination programme changed from the Zostavax vaccine to the two-dose Shingrix vaccine, to better protect individuals from the effects of shingles, provide better clinical outcomes, and reduce pressures on the health system. The programme was also expanded, and as a result, almost one million more people became eligible for the shingles vaccination.

The expansion is being rolled out in phases to maximise cost-effectiveness and population benefit, ensure consistent messaging to maximise coverage, and take account of National Health Service capacity, all while being consistent with the approach taken by all four nations in the United Kingdom. During the first phase, which commenced in September 2023, those who reach the ages of 65 or 70 years old will be called in for vaccination on or after their 65th or 70th birthday. During the second phase, from September 2028, individuals will be called in for vaccination on or after their 60th or 65th birthday. From 1 September 2033 onwards, vaccination will be routinely offered to those turning 60 years of age on or after their 60th birthday.

Separately, in November 2024, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation provided advice on eligibility for the shingles vaccination programme for adults aged 80 years old and over. The Department is considering this advice as it sets the policy on who should be offered shingles vaccinations.

In addition, as of September 2025, all severely immunosuppressed individuals aged 18 years old and over are now eligible for the shingles vaccine in order to protect those who are most at risk of serious illness and complications from shingles.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) ensures commissioners, providers, and relevant healthcare professionals have access to the necessary resources to communicate accurate information on eligibility for all national vaccination programmes. For example, comprehensive guidance on shingles vaccination is provided for healthcare professionals on GOV.UK website, at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/shingles-vaccination-guidance-for-healthcare-professionals/shingles-immunisation-programme-information-for-healthcare-practitioners

Additionally, to strengthen awareness of the programme amongst health professionals and the wider public, the UKHSA provides a comprehensive suite of public facing resources and assets. This includes information leaflets on shingles vaccination in multiple languages and accessible formats, for instance easy read, British Sign Language, and braille, with further information available at the following link:

https://find-public-health-resources.service.gov.uk/filter?diseases=Shingles&diseases=Varicella&vaccinations=Shingles+vaccine

This is a relatively newly expanded programme, and anyone unsure if they are eligible for the shingles vaccination should check online, on the NHS.UK website, or should speak to their general practice.

The Department continues to consider the advice provided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on eligibility for the shingles vaccination programme for adults aged 80 years old and over. Factors under review include, and are not limited to, supply, financial considerations including cost-effectiveness and affordability, and clinical considerations including vaccine effectiveness. Currently, there are no further updates to share on timelines.

Previously, the shingles vaccine was available to people turning 65 and 70 years old, up until their 80^th birthday, and to severely immunosuppressed individuals aged 50 years old and over.

As of 1 September 2025, approximately 300,000 more people have become eligible for shingles vaccination, with all severely immunosuppressed individuals aged 18 years old and over now being eligible for the shingles vaccine. Individuals who are severely immunosuppressed are most at risk of serious illness and complications from shingles, and so the decision has been made to follow the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), to lower the age of eligibility to protect the most vulnerable.

For immunocompetent individuals, the current offering to adults aged 65 and 70 years old was agreed by the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, and NHS England. This decision was made following the JCVI’s advice, an assessment of the effective use of National Health Service resources, and careful consideration of individual risk and population benefit.

Analysis shows that the difference in risk and vaccine effectiveness between an individual aged 66 to 69 years old and a 70-year-old is likely to be marginal. This was taken into consideration when planning the expansion of the vaccination programme for immunocompetent adults, which maintains the original offer for those turning 70 years old while also providing another cohort with the opportunity for vaccination.

The Department continues to carefully consider the advice provided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on eligibility for the shingles vaccination programme for adults aged 80 years old and over. The Department will update in due course, as appropriate.