Immunodeficiency UK welcomes the announcement from NHS England (NHSE) expanding the shingles vaccination programme to include all severely immunosuppressed adults aged 18 and over, starting 1 September 2025, following recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
What's changing?
- From 1 September 2025, the eligibility criteria will broaden to include all severely immunosuppressed individuals aged 18 and older, with no upper age limit. Previously, the vaccine was offered only to those aged 50 and above.
- Eligible individuals will be offered two doses of the non-live shingles vaccine, Shingrix®, with the second dose administered 8 weeks to 6 months after the first, in line with the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).
- According to NHS England, GP practices will begin contacting eligible patients, and administration of the vaccine via GP surgeries is set to begin from 25 September 2025.
Getting vaccinated helps to:
- Reduce the chance of contracting shingles
- Prevent long-term nerve pain (post‑herpetic neuralgia)
- Lower the risk of hospitalisation due to complications
Who is eligible?
Changes to the shingles programme include the expansion of the eligibility to all severely immunosuppressed people aged 18 years and over, with no upper age limit.
This includes individuals with:
- Individuals with primary or acquired immunodeficiency
- Individuals on immunosuppressive or immunomodulating therapy
- Individuals with chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease who are receiving or have received immunosuppressive therapy
You can find further guidance, including the definition of severe immunosuppression, in the Green Book chapter 28a – Shingles, particularly on page 7: Green Book chapter – Shingles (28a).
What should you do?
- Wait to be invited by your GP surgery for your vaccination appointment, which should begin from 25 September 2025.
- If you haven't heard from your GP by later in the year, feel free to proactively reach out to check your eligibility.
- Consult your healthcare team for questions about your personal risk and vaccination timing.
More information
- NHS England statement: Shingles vaccine to be offered to hundreds of thousands more immunosuppressed adults
- Green Book – Chapter 28a (Shingles): detailed eligibility and dosing schedule information, especially on page 7.
- NHSE has published a joint letter with the UK Health Security Agency regarding the changes.
Posted September 2025.