SHINGLES
A vaccine to prevent shingles, a common, painful skin disease has been offered to those in 70-79 age group. This is now changing, with an increased roll out to those who are younger.
From 1 September 2023:
- Those aged 70-79 will still be able to get the shingles vaccine from their GP practice.
- They will either be offered one dose of Zostavax or two doses of Shingrix (6 to 12 months apart)
- All those aged 50 and over with a weakened immune system will be offered two doses of the Shingrix vaccine by their GP practice (8 weeks to 6 months apart).
- Those turning 65 and 70 will be offered two doses of the Shingrix vaccine (6 to 12 months apart) by their GP practice as they become eligible (eligibility will go down to 60 years old in September 2028).
Research has shown that once people turn 80 it is no longer effective.
Dependant on age, the shingles vaccine is usually given as a single injection into the upper arm. You can have it at any time of the year.
The shingles vaccine is expected to reduce your risk of getting shingles. If you do go on to have the disease, your symptoms may be milder and the illness shorter.
Shingles can be very painful and uncomfortable. Some people are left with pain lasting for years after the initial rash has healed. Shingles is also fatal for around 1 in 1,000 over-70s who develop it.
It's fine to have the shingles vaccine if you've already had shingles. Once you've had it, you don't need to have another. The shingles vaccine works very well in people who have had shingles before and it will boost your immunity against further shingles attacks.
The surgery will be reminding patients that are eligible for this vaccine to make an appointment with the Practice Nurse. If you think you are eligible for a Shingles vaccination and haven't yet been contacted, please get in touch.
For NHS information regarding shingles vaccinations click HERE
PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION
The Pneumococcal Vaccination (Pneumo) helps protect against some types of bacterial infections that can cause serious illness like:
- meningitis (an infection of the brain and spinal cord)
- sepsis (a life-threatening reaction to an infection)
- pneumonia (an infection in the lungs)
It can also help protect against other illnesses, such as sinusitis and ear infections.
The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for babies, older people (aged 65 and above), and children and adults at higher risk of getting seriously ill from pneumococcal infections.
Like the shingles vaccination, you’ll only need it once.
For more NHS information about this vaccination click HERE
WHOOPING COUGH VACCINATION
Whooping cough is a very serious infection, and young babies are most at risk. Most babies with whooping cough will be admitted to hospital.
When you have the whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy, your body produces antibodies to protect against whooping cough. These antibodies pass to your baby giving them some protection until they're able to have their whooping cough vaccination at 8 weeks old.
Your midwife should advise you when to have them during pregnancy - it i usually between 16 and 32 weeks, but if you miss your vaccination you can still have it up to the time you go into labour. Your baby will be called for vaccination.
For more NHS information about this vaccination click HERE
MEASLES, MUMPS & RUBELLA (MMR) VACCINATION
The MMR vaccine gives long-term protection against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles).
These 3 infections spread easily between people and can lead to serious problems including meningitis, blindness and hearing loss.
If you're pregnant, getting measles can cause premature birth, miscarriage or still birth. And getting rubella can cause serious problems for your baby, such as damage to their sight and hearing.
2 doses of MMY vaccine gives you long-term protection.
Getting vaccinated also helps protect people who cannot be vaccinated, such as unborn babies, newborn babies and anyone with a weakened immune system. The MMR vaccine is recommended for all babies and young children, but older children and adults can have it if they were not vaccinated when they were younger.
For more NHS information about this vaccination click HERE
Due to a significant rise in the number of measles cases nationally and locally, and the decline in uptake of the MMR vaccination for children and young people under 25, please get in touch if you think you, or a child in your household are not up-to-date with their MMR vaccinations and ensure you and/or they have had all doses and have been fully vaccinated.