On 1 September 2025, the Northern Ireland Shingles vaccination programme will change to allow all severely immunosuppressed people aged 18 years and over to receive the shingles vaccine. This is an expansion of the current severely immunosuppressed cohort, who until now became eligible from aged 50 years of age. There is now no upper age limit for the severely immunosuppressed cohort of patients.

• Severely immunosuppressed individuals who have already received 2 doses of Shingrix® do not need re-vaccination.
• Severely immunosuppressed individuals who had received Zostavax® prior to developing immunosuppression should be offered 2 doses of Shingrix®.

The age-based eligibility remains unchanged with individuals becoming eligible if they are aged 65 or 70 on 1 September each year and remaining eligible until their 80th birthday

From the 2 September 2025 patients who fall into the age cohorts below can now book an appointment with Julie Weir, Health Care Assistant to receive the Shingles Vaccine.

• DoB: 2nd September 1954 to 1st September 1955

OR

• DoB: 2nd September 1959 to  1st September 1960

An easy-read version of the Shingles Vaccination leaflet is available on the PHA & NIDirect websites reflecting the new cohort.