Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what operational, clinical or supply-side factors informed the decision to phase the expansion of the shingles vaccination programme to adults aged 60 and over between 2028 and 2033.

The shingles vaccine was previously available as part of the national immunisation programme to those aged 70 years old and over. In 2019, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended that the shingles vaccination programme should be offered to everyone at 60 years old, rather than 70 years old. In 2026, after reviewing updated modelling, the JCVI confirmed that this recommendation should remain.

Based on the JCVI’s initial recommendation, and following an assessment of effective use of National Health Service resources and careful consideration of individual risk and population benefit, the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, and NHS England agreed that the expansion of the shingles vaccination programme would be rolled out in phases.

Phase 1 takes place between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2028. In this current phase, individuals reaching 65 or 70 years old should be called in on or after their 65th or 70th birthday. Phase 2 will take place from 1 September 2028 to 31 August 2033. During this phase, individuals reaching 60 or 65 years old should be called in on or after their 60th or 65th birthday. From 1 September 2033 onwards, vaccination will be routinely offered to individuals turning 60 years old on or after their 60th birthday.

Phasing the roll-out of the shingles vaccination over time to everyone aged 60 years old maximises cost effectiveness, ensures continuity in messaging over time to maximise coverage, and maintains a consistent approach from all four nations in the United Kingdom.