Shingles Vaccination Service
Shingles Vaccines, also known as the zoster vaccine, are available to book in our New Ross, Enniscorthy, Taghmon and Waterford branches. You can book the Shingles Vaccine online by pressing the BOOK NOW Icon below.
Shingles Vaccine - Shingrix
The shingles vaccine we administer is:
• Shingrix – 2 dose vaccine – eligibility 50 Years plus or 18-49yrs if you fall into
immunocompromised category
Further information on the Shingrix vaccine can be seen in the information below or
please contact any of our stores here if you would like more information on your
suitability for the shingles shot and/or information on shingles in general.
There are 2 types of Shingles available however at the moment, the Shingrix Vaccine is our preferred choice of vaccine.
Once you have selected the shingles vaccine service and have registered your interest, a trained staff member from your selected store will contact you to discuss the vaccine and confirm your appointment. You can also book directly by ringing or visiting us in store.
FAQ
There is further information below on the Shingles vaccines and the Shingrix cost but should you have any further questions then please speak with one of our pharmacists in store who will be able to advise you on the process.
Shingles is a viral disease caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox – the herpes-zoster virus.
95% of adults will have had chicken pox in their childhood/adolescent years. Once you have had
chickenpox, the zoster virus remains inactive in your body, and can become active again later in life
where it causes Shingles.
Once you have had chicken pox you have the virus inactivate in your body so are at risk of
developing shingles. Of the 95% of adults who’ve had chickenpox, approx 25% of these will go on to
develop shingles. Generally you have an increased risk of getting shingles if you are
1. Over 50 years of age
2. Have a weakened immune system
3. Under significant stress
4. Have certain conditions or on treatments e.g. cancer or HIV.
The symptoms of shingles can range from mild to very severe. Typically it presents as a tingling and
some pain on one side of the body, often on your upper body, head, neck or around the eye. A rash
can then develop with blisters which can be painful and itchy. The rash can last 2-4 weeks and within
this time the blisters dry out and form scabs.
There are lots of different names for the Shingles Vaccine. Some people would know it as Shingles
Shot, Zoster Vaccine or Herpes Zoster Vaccine. These are all the same. The brand with administer is
the Shingrix vaccine.
Shingrix can be given to those over 18 years who have a higher risk of getting shingles
(immunocompromised). It can also be given to anyone who is 50 years old or over.
You can receive the vaccines all year-round from any of our pharmacies.. If you have had shingles
before, you can still have the vaccination provided it’s been over 1 year since you have had shingles.
It is recommended to leave a gap of at least seven days between getting the COVID-19 vaccination
and a shingles vaccination.
Shingles pain is often described as burning or stabbing pain in the area of the rash which can be
constant or intermittent. The level of pain experienced and duration of pain varies from person to
person. It usually is most severe in first couple of days and then subsides in max 2-4 weeks.
However, for some people they can experience long-term nerve pain after the rash has healed. This
is known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) and can last weeks, months or in some even years.
The older you are, the higher the chance you have of developing PHN after shingles. Getting the
vaccine not only helps reduce your risk of developing shingles, but can lessen the severity and
duration of any symptoms, as well as reducing greatly your risk of developing PHN.
Studies have shown that four months after two doses of the Shingrix vaccine that its efficacy at
preventing shingles was as follows:**
• Aged 50 to 69 years 100%
• Aged 70 to 79 years 93%
• Aged 80 years and older 71%
It is important to remember that also if you do still get shingles after vaccination, the vaccine can
also help reduce the severity of the symptoms and also the risk of developing post herpetic neuralgia
(PHN), the long-lasting nerve pain that follows shingles.
• The shingles vaccine is not recommended if pregnant. If breastfeeding talk to your doctor to
check if getting the vaccine at this time.
• You shouldn’t get the shingles vaccine if you have a history of severe allergic reaction to any
of the shingles vaccine components
• If you have thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder, talk to your pharmacist as you
may not be eligible to get the shingles vaccination in the pharmacy.
If you’re in any doubt or would like further information on getting the shingles vaccine , call any of
our stores or visit us to speak to your pharmacist. We can give you more information about the
vaccination and advise whether it’s suitable for you.
What are the possible Side effects after having received the shingles vaccine?
Like with all vaccines occasionally, people develop side-effects after receiving a shingles vaccination.
Usually these are mild and go away in a day or two.
Very common (>1 in 10)
• Headache
• Stomach and digestive complaints (including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and/or stomach
pain)
• Pain – Muscle pain (myalgia), redness and swelling at injection site
• Feeling tired, chills, fever
Common (<1/100 or >1 in 10)
• Itching where the injection is given (pruritus)
• Malaise (tiredness)
• Less common reactions include nausea, swollen glands at the neck or armpits, hives at the
injection site
• Very rare Reaction : varicella (chickenpox) – if you do experience this side effect, post live
vaccine, you should avoid direct contact with people who haven’t had chicken pox until your rash is
dry and crusted, e.g. infants/ pregnant ladies who have not had chicken pox.
To book shingles vaccine service, simply call into one of our stores and ask to speak to the
pharmacist. The pharmacist will be able to advise and arrange a suitable time and date to book the
shingles vaccine.
The cost of the TWO dose Shingles Vaccination Service is €480 (€240 per vaccination dose). The
vaccine administered is Shingrix.
For the two dose vaccine, the second dose is usually given two months after the first dose.
