Shingles Vaccine Overview
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful skin condition caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus—the same virus that causes chickenpox.
After someone recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains inactive inside the nervous system. It may reactivate years or decades later and cause shingles.
What Does the Vaccine Do?
Shingles vaccination helps reduce the chance of developing shingles. It can also reduce the likelihood of serious complications if shingles occurs after vaccination.
Who Is More Likely to Develop Shingles?
Anyone who has previously had chickenpox can develop shingles. The risk increases with age because immune protection against the virus can become weaker over time.
- Older adults
- People with weakened immune systems
- People receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- People taking certain immune-suppressing medicines
- People who have received an organ or stem-cell transplant
- Some people living with blood cancer or HIV
- People who have experienced shingles previously
Symptoms of Shingles
Shingles often begins with pain, burning, tingling, sensitivity or itching in a particular area of skin. A blistering rash usually develops a few days later.
- Burning, tingling or painful skin
- A rash appearing on one side of the body
- Clusters of fluid-filled blisters
- Headache or feeling generally unwell
- Tiredness or a raised temperature
- Sensitivity when the affected skin is touched
The rash can appear on the chest, abdomen, back, face, eye area or other parts of the body.
How Is the Vaccine Given?
The non-live shingles vaccine commonly used is called Shingrix. It is administered as an injection into a muscle, usually in the upper arm.
The private primary course normally consists of two doses. The second dose is generally given two months after the first, although it may be given between two and six months later where flexibility is needed.
For some people who are or will become severely immunosuppressed, a shorter interval may be advised following a clinical assessment.
Shingles Vaccination for Adults in North West London
Hampstead Travel Clinic provides private shingles vaccination for clinically suitable adults. Our experienced pharmacy team will review your age, medical history, immune system health, medicines, previous shingles episodes and vaccination history before recommending an appropriate course.
Who May Consider Private Shingles Vaccination?
NHS vaccination is available to defined age groups and people with severe immunosuppression. Private vaccination may be considered by other clinically suitable adults who are concerned about shingles or are not currently eligible through the NHS programme.
- Adults aged 50 and over
- People concerned about their shingles risk
- Adults not currently eligible through the NHS
- People who have previously had shingles
- Adults with certain long-term health conditions
- People approaching immune-suppressing treatment
- Those advised to consider vaccination by a clinician
- Patients needing a confidential suitability assessment
Your Shingles Vaccination Appointment
We will assess your suitability carefully and explain the recommended two-dose vaccination schedule.
Review Your History
We discuss previous shingles, chickenpox and vaccination records.
Clinical Assessment
We check health conditions, allergies, medicines and immune status.
Receive Your First Dose
When suitable, Shingrix is injected into the upper arm muscle.
Complete the Course
We schedule and administer the second recommended vaccination dose.
Why Consider Shingles Vaccination?
Shingles can be painful and disruptive. Vaccination can reduce both the likelihood of developing shingles and the risk of serious or longer-lasting complications.
- Helps reduce the chance of developing shingles
- Helps reduce the risk of severe illness
- Helps reduce the risk of long-lasting nerve pain
- Provides protection even after a previous shingles episode
- Uses a non-live vaccine suitable for many immunocompromised adults
- Can usually be given alongside several other suitable vaccines
Shingles Vaccination in Hampstead, North West London
Hampstead Travel Clinic is located inside Allchin Pharmacy at 28 Englands Lane, London, NW3 4UE. We provide private shingles vaccination assessments for suitable adults from Hampstead and surrounding North West London areas. Same-day or short-notice appointments may be available, subject to pharmacist availability, clinical suitability and vaccine stock.
- Hampstead
- Belsize Park
- Swiss Cottage
- Finchley Road
- St John’s Wood
- Primrose Hill
- West Hampstead
- Camden
- Kentish Town
- Gospel Oak
- Chalk Farm
- Golders Green
- Kilburn
- Highgate
Shingles Vaccination FAQs
Helpful answers for adults considering private shingles vaccination in Hampstead.
What causes shingles?
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox.
After chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in nerve tissue and can reactivate later in life.
Can I catch shingles from another person?
You do not directly catch shingles from someone else. Shingles develops when the virus already inside your body becomes active again.
However, someone with an active blistering shingles rash may pass the chickenpox virus to a person who has never had chickenpox or chickenpox vaccination.
Can I have the vaccine if I have already had shingles?
Yes. Shingles can occur more than once, so vaccination may still be recommended after a previous episode.
The vaccination should normally be arranged after the acute illness and rash have resolved. The pharmacist will assess the timing.
Who can receive a private shingles vaccine?
Shingrix is licensed for adults aged 50 and over and for adults aged 18 and over who are at increased risk of shingles.
Private suitability depends on age, medical history, medicines, immune status and previous vaccination.
Who is eligible for shingles vaccination through the NHS?
Current NHS eligibility includes adults turning 65, adults aged 70 to 79 and adults aged 18 or over with a severely weakened immune system.
Eligibility depends on age, date of birth and medical circumstances. Contact your GP surgery if you believe you qualify.
How many shingles vaccine doses will I need?
A primary Shingrix course consists of two injections.
The second private dose is normally administered two months after the first, with flexibility to give it between two and six months later where appropriate.
How is the shingles vaccine administered?
Shingrix is administered as an injection into a muscle, usually the deltoid muscle in the upper arm.
Is Shingrix a live vaccine?
No. Shingrix is a recombinant, non-live vaccine.
This means it can be suitable for many people who cannot receive live vaccines, although an individual assessment is still needed.
What is post-herpetic neuralgia?
Post-herpetic neuralgia is persistent nerve pain in the area where the shingles rash occurred.
The pain may continue for months after the skin has healed and can sometimes last longer. The risk increases with age.
Can shingles affect the eyes?
Yes. Shingles affecting the face, forehead, nose or eye area can cause eye inflammation and may threaten eyesight.
Seek urgent medical advice if a shingles rash develops around the eye or on the face.
Can immunocompromised adults have Shingrix?
Shingrix is a non-live vaccine and may be suitable for adults with weakened immune systems.
The timing should be coordinated carefully around treatment such as chemotherapy, immune-suppressing medicines or transplantation. Specialist advice may sometimes be needed.
Can I have the shingles vaccine with other vaccines?
Shingles vaccination can usually be administered at the same appointment as several other vaccines, including flu, COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccines.
The pharmacist will review your complete vaccination plan before administering vaccines together.
What are the common side effects of Shingrix?
Common temporary side effects include pain, redness or swelling around the injection area, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, chills and a raised temperature.
These effects usually improve within two or three days. Serious allergic reactions are very rare.
Can the shingles vaccine give me shingles?
Shingrix is not a live vaccine and cannot give you shingles.
Temporary reactions such as arm pain, tiredness or a temperature are signs of the immune system responding to vaccination.
Do I need a shingles booster every year?
No. Shingles vaccination is not an annual vaccine.
The recommended primary Shingrix course consists of two doses. Routine yearly boosters are not currently advised.
Do you offer same-day shingles vaccination?
Same-day or short-notice appointments may sometimes be available, subject to pharmacist availability, clinical suitability and vaccine stock.
Contact Hampstead Travel Clinic before attending so our team can confirm current availability.
Where is Hampstead Travel Clinic located?
Hampstead Travel Clinic is based inside Allchin Pharmacy at 28 Englands Lane, London, NW3 4UE.
Our clinic is convenient for patients from Hampstead, Belsize Park, Swiss Cottage, Finchley Road, St John’s Wood, West Hampstead, Camden and surrounding North West London areas.
Book Your Private Shingles Vaccination
Arrange a confidential shingles vaccination assessment with our experienced pharmacy team in Hampstead. We will review your medical history, medicines and previous shingles episodes before planning the appropriate two-dose course.
What Our Clients Say
“Nice staff particularly regular pharmacist. Gave me my flu jab painlessly”
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