Almost one million people across England will be offered a vaccine against shingles over the coming months, with the Shingrix jab currently already available to over-70s.
However, those over the age of 50 who are immunosuppressed will be offered the vaccine from September 1.
Those turning 65 and 70 will also be eligible to receive the vaccine after their birthday, with the NHS anticipating that an extra 900,000 in total will be offered the vaccine after the move. By September 2028, the rollout will also be expanded to those who are aged over 60 - regardless of circumstances.
You can contract shingles at any point in life, but complications typically tend to occur more frequently in those who have weakened immune systems. It's not a contagious disease, and develops in people who have previously had chickenpox.
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The Mirror reports that the NHS predicts that at least nine in ten adults carry the virus which causes shingles, following on from chickenpox in childhood. One in three will experience the virus in adulthood, seeing rashes, sore skin and fluid-filled blisters in certain areas of the body.
In severe cases, shingles can also cause blindness, hearing loss, nerve pain and even death. But before the virus reaches that stage, there are a number of key indicators which might tell you if you've contracted the infection.
And if caught early enough, it can allow you to get your life back on track in no time.
What are the symptoms of shingles?
The symptoms can vary from person to person, but typically include:
- Pain: The feeling can be described as burning, tingling, or shooting and may be localised to the area where the rash appears. The pain may be a constant, dull or burning sensation. The affected area of skin will usually be tender.
- Rash: This usually develops on one side of your body, as blotches on the area of skin related to the affected nerve. It can appear anywhere, including on your face, eyes and genitals, and can last for up to a week.
- Sensitivity to touch: The affected area of skin will usually be tender and sensitive to touch. Even light touch or pressure can cause pain.
- Blistering: The rash may develop into fluid-filled blisters, which are usually limited to the area where the rash appears and do not cross the midline of the body. A few days after appearing they become yellowish in colour, flatten and dry out.
- Itching: Some people with shingles may experience itching or tingling in the affected area of skin before the rash appears.
- Flu-like symptoms: In some cases, people with shingles may also experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, chills and feeling generally unwell.
- Nerve-related symptoms: Shingles can affect the nerves, leading to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the area where the rash appears.
Anyone who suspects they have shingles should get advice from 111, their GP or a pharmacist, says the NHS. You should avoid anyone pregnant who has not had chickenpox before, people with a weakened immune system (like someone having chemotherapy) and babies less than one month old (unless you gave birth to them).
To treat symptoms at home, it is recommended to; take paracetamol, keep the rash as dry and clean as possible, wear loose-fitting clothing, use a cool damp cloth to soothe the skin and try calamine lotion to help relieve itching. While there is no cure for the virus, early treatment can help to ease symptoms and reduce the risk of any complications.
Steve Russell, national director of vaccinations and screening at NHS England, said: "While the country has been focused on the NHS's successful Covid and flu vaccine programmes, there remain other preventable illnesses like shingles which can be fatal to those most at risk. With a quarter of people getting shingles in their lifetime, and with it being one of the few conditions that cannot achieve herd immunity, the expansion of the programme will provide peace of mind to hundreds of thousands and save lives."
