Shingles vaccination to be offered to over-70s

Shingles - an infection of a nerve and the skin around it - can occur at any age, but is most common in people aged over 50. It is estimated that in England alone it affects more than 30,000 people a year, most of them older people.

Now, across the UK, people aged over 70 are to be offered routine shingles vaccinations in a move aimed at preventing thousands of cases each year. The viral infection affects more than 3,000 pensioners in Scotland every year, but experts hope the new vaccination programme could cut out 40% of cases.

From September 2013, people aged 70 and 79 in Scotland and the rest of the UK will be able to get the Zostavax vaccine on the NHS.  At present, some people are paying between £150 and £200 to get the jab privately.

In years two, three, four and five onwards more of the 70-79 age group will be offered the vaccine until, ultimately, the UK is fully covered and only people reaching their 70th birthday will need to be targeted.

Shingles, which causes a painful rash that develops into itchy blisters, is caused by the same virus as chickenpox, herpes varicella zoster. Although the illness primarily affects the nerves and skin, in severe cases it can cause complications such as hearing loss or brain swelling.