The Shingles Vaccine

Shingles Vaccine (Zostavax) – at our private, Central London Clinic

At Fleet Street Clinic, we offer a private service for the Shingles Vaccine (Zostavax). Shingles can be a very painful condition, with long-lasting implications for your health. Shingles is most likely to affect people over the age of 50 but can affect younger people as well.

What is Shingles?

• Shingles is caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus, usually after infection in the past.
• The incidence of shingles rises from the age of 50 onwards, which is why the vaccine is most commonly offered to over 50s.
• Shingles can affect people in their 30s and 40s as well. The incidence of shingles is higher in women than in men.
• In the UK, 90% of the adult population get chickenpox during childhood. 25% of these adults will suffer from shingles and of these, 20% may develop long-term complications such as localised nerve pain – lasting up to six or seven years.

Book Your Shingles Vaccine

• A shingles vaccine costs £170 plus an appointment fee with a nurse or GP. If you are aged 50 or over, please book a 15-minute consultation with one of our nurses.
• If you are younger, please book a 15-minute GP appointment – it may still be beneficial for you to have the vaccine.
• The cost of our Shingles vaccine (together with details of our other vaccines) can be found here.

To Book

For further details and appointments call us today on 0207 353 5678  email us at info@fleetstreetclinic.com or request an appointment online here.

Shingles Vaccine Information

The vaccine is currently only available on the NHS to people in certain age ranges. We believe that the vaccine should be available more widely, and are able to offer it on a private basis.

Our private shingles vaccine service is performed by experienced doctors and nurses who will be able to answer any of your concerns. You’ll also be able to find out more about other vaccines that may be relevant to your health, such as pneumonia and flu vaccines.

The Fleet Street Clinic specialises in vaccines and is one of the UK’s most respected independent specialist centres.

What does the Shingles Vaccine (Zostavax) do?

• The rising incidence of shingles with age reflects a reduction in the immune system’s ability to prevent reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox in childhood.
• Shingles vaccine contains a weakened vaccine virus to produce a powerful immune response that protects against further reactivation.
• The vaccine does not provide complete protection from shingles, it cuts the risk of future attacks by 51%, and is more effective in younger age groups. However it also considerably reduces the severity and duration of complications in any patients who ultimately do develop shingles.
• Who should be vaccinated against shingles?

We would encourage anyone eligible for vaccination against shingles on the NHS to take up the offer of vaccination. However, the vaccine may also be given outside the eligible NHS age ranges and in our view, all adults over the age of 50 should be protected where possible.

Who should not receive the Shingles Vaccine?

The shingles vaccine contains live virus. People who should not receive live vaccines include anyone with reduced or suppressed immunity, anyone undergoing treatment with high doses of steroids, and women during pregnancy.

Possible side effects of the Shingles Vaccine

The vaccine consists of a modified form of the herpes zoster virus that does not cause disease. Side effects are the normal side effects experienced with other vaccines, such as redness and soreness at the site of the injection. Rarely, a chickenpox-like rash may occur at the injection site. Patients cannot get shingles from this vaccine.

How is Shingles Vaccine given?

• The shingles vaccine is given as an injection in the arm.
• Only a single dose is needed for protection.
• Appointments take place at our central London clinic and last 15 minutes.
• Under 50s wishing to be vaccinated should make an appointment with one of our doctors to discuss this in more detail.

To Book

For further details and appointments call us today on 0207 353 5678  email us at info@fleetstreetclinic.com or request an appointment online here.