Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to increase the rates of uptake of the shingles vaccine

In conjunction with NHS England and the Department, the eligibility criteria for this vaccine have been changed to make it easier for health care professionals (HCPS) to identify eligible patients. This change means that patients become eligible for the vaccine from their 70th and 78th birthdays (if not previously vaccinated) and can be offered the vaccine opportunistically all year round.

In support of this change, Public Health England has updated communication materials to both patients and HCPs to better illustrate eligible cohorts. This includes guidance for those in age groups with previous eligibility who have missed the opportunity to receive the vaccine, up to their 80th birthday.

NHS England has a focus on reducing variation in all Section 7a immunisation programmes and work with local teams to seek assurance that low uptake and variation are addressed, and to identify good practice that can be shared.