Media releases

Department of Health - 31st January 2010

SHINGLES VACCINE FOR THOSE IN THEIR SEVENTIES MOVES A STEP CLOSER

Up to four million could benefit from protection

People aged between 70 and 79 could be offered protection against shingles for the first time as a vaccination programme moved a step closer the Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said today.
The move follows a recommendation made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that the vaccine should be offered to this age group if it can be bought at a price which makes the programme cost-effective.
The recommendation is covered by provisions in the NHS Constitution which mean that if the JCVI recommends a vaccine programme based on an assessment of cost-effectiveness, patients have the right to receive the vaccine on the NHS.
Shingles is a nasty illness which most often affects, and is more severe in, older people. It is caused by the re-activation of the chickenpox virus that an individual caught, usually as a child.
It causes a painful rash of blisters, which can last for many weeks or months. Although treatable with antiviral drugs, shingles can be extremely debilitating and sufferers may be hospitalised with many suffering chronic pain lasting months.
Shingles tends to be more serious the older people get, and about a quarter of adults will get shingles at some point in their life.
Minister for Public Health Gillian Merron said
"Shingles is an unpleasant illness which can be very serious, especially for older people”.
“I welcome the recommendation from the experts on immunisation that we should look for a cost-effective vaccine.
“A vaccination programme would be good news for those in their 70s. It would improve people’s quality of life by offering protection against this illness.
“Prevention of ill-health is at the heart of the NHS".
A rigorous procurement programme will now be undertaken to determine whether shingles vaccine can be procured at a price which would make the vaccination programme cost-effective.
People aged between 70 and 79 could be offered protection against shingles for the first time as a vaccination programme moved a step closer the Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said today.
The move follows a recommendation made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that the vaccine should be offered to this age group if it can be bought at a price which makes the programme cost-effective.
The recommendation is covered by provisions in the NHS Constitution which mean that if the JCVI recommends a vaccine programme based on an assessment of cost-effectiveness, patients have the right to receive the vaccine on the NHS.
Shingles is a nasty illness which most often affects, and is more severe in, older people. It is caused by the re-activation of the chickenpox virus that an individual caught, usually as a child.
It causes a painful rash of blisters, which can last for many weeks or months. Although treatable with antiviral drugs, shingles can be extremely debilitating and sufferers may be hospitalised with many suffering chronic pain lasting months.
Shingles tends to be more serious the older people get, and about a quarter of adults will get shingles at some point in their life.
Minister for Public Health Gillian Merron said
"Shingles is an unpleasant illness which can be very serious, especially for older people”.
“I welcome the recommendation from the experts on immunisation that we should look for a cost-effective vaccine.
“A vaccination programme would be good news for those in their 70s. It would improve people’s quality of life by offering protection against this illness.
“Prevention of ill-health is at the heart of the NHS".
A rigorous procurement programme will now be undertaken to determine whether shingles vaccine can be procured at a price which would make the vaccination programme cost-effective.

-ENDS-

Contacts: Department for Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
Email: NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to editors:
1.    For further information please contact the DH press office on 020 7210 5221.
2.    The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is an advisory body responsible for advising the Secretary of State for Health on issues regarding vaccination and immunisation.
3.    Minutes of JCVI’s last meeting and the Committee’s short statement on this matter can be found at the following website: http://www.dh.gov.uk/ab/JCVI
4.    Up to 4 million people currently aged 70-79 in England would benefit from the introduction of the programme.
5.      Around 50,000 people over the age of 70 develop shingles a year
6.    The NHS Constitution states that everyone in England has ‘the right to receive the vaccinations that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation [JCVI] recommend that you should receive under an NHS provided national immunisation programme.’ The right is underpinned by law that came into force on 1 April 2009. The regulations require the Secretary of State to fund and implement any cost-effective recommendation made by JCVI. Where the Secretary of State has asked JCVI to look at a vaccine and it makes a recommendation, based on an assessment of cost-effectiveness, that the vaccine should be offered as part of a national immunisation programme, the Government will fund and implement the programme.

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Home Frequently Asked Questions News Guidelines for GPs: treating PHN Patients: read this introduction to treatments Ideas from other sufferers Media releases Help the Shingles Support Society Testimonials Buy info pack Links		Home Media releases Department of Health - 31st January 2010 SHINGLES VACCINE FOR THOSE IN THEIR SEVENTIES MOVES A STEP CLOSER Up to four million could benefit from protection People aged between 70 and 79 could be offered protection against shingles for the first time as a vaccination programme moved a step closer the Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said today. The move follows a recommendation made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that the vaccine should be offered to this age group if it can be bought at a price which makes the programme cost-effective. The recommendation is covered by provisions in the NHS Constitution which mean that if the JCVI recommends a vaccine programme based on an assessment of cost-effectiveness, patients have the right to receive the vaccine on the NHS. Shingles is a nasty illness which most often affects, and is more severe in, older people. It is caused by the re-activation of the chickenpox virus that an individual caught, usually as a child. It causes a painful rash of blisters, which can last for many weeks or months. Although treatable with antiviral drugs, shingles can be extremely debilitating and sufferers may be hospitalised with many suffering chronic pain lasting months. Shingles tends to be more serious the older people get, and about a quarter of adults will get shingles at some point in their life. Minister for Public Health Gillian Merron said "Shingles is an unpleasant illness which can be very serious, especially for older people”. “I welcome the recommendation from the experts on immunisation that we should look for a cost-effective vaccine. “A vaccination programme would be good news for those in their 70s. It would improve people’s quality of life by offering protection against this illness. “Prevention of ill-health is at the heart of the NHS". A rigorous procurement programme will now be undertaken to determine whether shingles vaccine can be procured at a price which would make the vaccination programme cost-effective. People aged between 70 and 79 could be offered protection against shingles for the first time as a vaccination programme moved a step closer the Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said today. The move follows a recommendation made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that the vaccine should be offered to this age group if it can be bought at a price which makes the programme cost-effective. The recommendation is covered by provisions in the NHS Constitution which mean that if the JCVI recommends a vaccine programme based on an assessment of cost-effectiveness, patients have the right to receive the vaccine on the NHS. Shingles is a nasty illness which most often affects, and is more severe in, older people. It is caused by the re-activation of the chickenpox virus that an individual caught, usually as a child. It causes a painful rash of blisters, which can last for many weeks or months. Although treatable with antiviral drugs, shingles can be extremely debilitating and sufferers may be hospitalised with many suffering chronic pain lasting months. Shingles tends to be more serious the older people get, and about a quarter of adults will get shingles at some point in their life. Minister for Public Health Gillian Merron said "Shingles is an unpleasant illness which can be very serious, especially for older people”. “I welcome the recommendation from the experts on immunisation that we should look for a cost-effective vaccine. “A vaccination programme would be good news for those in their 70s. It would improve people’s quality of life by offering protection against this illness. “Prevention of ill-health is at the heart of the NHS". A rigorous procurement programme will now be undertaken to determine whether shingles vaccine can be procured at a price which would make the vaccination programme cost-effective. -ENDS- Contacts: Department for Health Phone: 020 7210 5221 Email: NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk Notes to editors: 1. For further information please contact the DH press office on 020 7210 5221. 2. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is an advisory body responsible for advising the Secretary of State for Health on issues regarding vaccination and immunisation. 3. Minutes of JCVI’s last meeting and the Committee’s short statement on this matter can be found at the following website: http://www.dh.gov.uk/ab/JCVI 4. Up to 4 million people currently aged 70-79 in England would benefit from the introduction of the programme. 5. Around 50,000 people over the age of 70 develop shingles a year 6. The NHS Constitution states that everyone in England has ‘the right to receive the vaccinations that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation [JCVI] recommend that you should receive under an NHS provided national immunisation programme.’ The right is underpinned by law that came into force on 1 April 2009. The regulations require the Secretary of State to fund and implement any cost-effective recommendation made by JCVI. Where the Secretary of State has asked JCVI to look at a vaccine and it makes a recommendation, based on an assessment of cost-effectiveness, that the vaccine should be offered as part of a national immunisation programme, the Government will fund and implement the programme. » Email this page