Health Check England

What is Shingles? Shingles is an infection of a nerve and the area of skin supplied by the nerve. It is caused by a virus called the Varicella-zoster virus (this is the same virus that causes chickenpox). Shingles is sometimes called Herpes zoster. The symptoms of Shingles starts with tingling or burning in an area of the skin and is followed by the eruption of a painful rash usually on one side of the body or face that takes 2-4 weeks to resolve.  Shingles can occur at any age, but it is most common in people over the age of 50 years. About 1 in 4 people develop Shingles during their lifetime. It is also possible to get Shingles more than once, although fortunately fewer than 10% of people who have a first attack will have another one. Can Shingles be prevented? The good news is that there is now a Shingles vaccine available to people aged 50 and over. It has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of older people developing Shingles, and even if you do develop Shingles then the disease is likely to affect you less severely. A national immunisation programme is available for those aged 70 - 79, but is being introduced in phases.  Can I be vaccinated privately?At Armada Travel Clinic we can offer it for those aged 50 or over. The vaccine is a single dose injection at a cost of £149. Please contact Armada Travel Clinic for further information or to book an appointment.

Occupational Health Vaccination