Shingles Vaccination Service
Shingrix is a two-dose vaccine for anyone aged 18 to 49 years at increased risk (weak immune system*) or 50 years and over.
The shingles vaccine is available directly from selected CarePlus Pharmacies*.
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a common viral infection caused by the reactivation of the same virus that leads to chickenpox—the varicella-zoster virus. After you’ve had chickenpox, this virus stays dormant in your body and can reactivate later in life, developing into shingles.
Around 1 in 4 people will develop shingles in their lifetime, with the risk increasing as you get older. Shingles can occur when your immune system is weakened by factors like age, stress, or certain medical conditions and treatments (e.g., cancer or HIV). The shingles vaccine is a safe and effective way to reduce your chances of developing shingles.
What is Shingles?
Shingles affects a nerve and the surrounding skin, causing a painful rash. While most people recover fully, some experience long-term nerve pain known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), which can last for months or even years. The older you are, the higher the chance of developing PHN if you get shingles.
The Shingles Vaccine
The shingles vaccine not only reduces your risk of developing shingles but can also lessen the severity and duration of symptoms if you do. Additionally, it lowers the risk of developing PHN, a common complication in older individuals.
Available Shingles Vaccine:
Currently, Shingrix is the only shingles vaccine recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) due to its high effectiveness and safety profile. NIAC, a health advisory body in Ireland, makes vaccine recommendations to protect public health.
- Shingrix: A non-live, recombinant vaccine with high efficacy, especially in older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems. Shingrix is administered in two doses and is suitable for both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals.
- Zostavax: A live vaccine licensed for shingles prevention, but it is no longer recommended by NIAC as Shingrix is considered more effective and safer, particularly for those with weakened immune systems.
Shingrix Efficacy Rates:
- Age 50–69: Up to 100% effective in preventing shingles.
- Age 70–79: Approximately 93% effective.
- Age 80+: Approximately 71% effective.
If you do get shingles, Shingrix can help reduce symptom severity and the risk of PHN.
How to Get the Shingles Vaccine
The shingles vaccine is available privately (subject to charge) at selected CarePlus Pharmacies*, administered by specially trained CarePlus pharmacist vaccinators. You can book an appointment online or call the pharmacy for a time that suits you.
- Shingrix: Given in two doses and available for individuals aged 50+ or those 18–49 with weakened immune systems.
Additional Information:
- If you’ve previously had shingles, you can still receive the vaccine as long as it’s been over a year since the infection.
- The Shingrix vaccine can be safely administered at the same time as other vaccines, including the unadjuvanted inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccines (PPV23), and COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. When given together, each vaccine will be administered at a different injection site to ensure safety and effectiveness.
For further information about the Shingrix shingles vaccine click here
*The Shingles vaccines and its administration is subject to charge. Please contact your CarePlus Pharmacy for pricing.
Who Should NOT Get the Shingles Vaccine?
The shingles vaccine is not recommended if:
- You are pregnant. If breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
- You have a history of severe allergic reaction to any components of the vaccine.
- You have thrombocytopenia or coagulation disorders—consult your pharmacist.
If you’re unsure, speak with your pharmacist, who can provide more information and advice whether the shingles vaccine is suitable for you.
Booking an Appointment
You can book an appointment or join the waitlist for vaccines at selected CarePlus Pharmacies* by clicking the "Book" button online, visiting in-store, or calling the pharmacy.
*Appointment availability subject to stock and pharmacist vaccinator availability and eligibility criteria, this service is subject to charge. Selected CarePlus Pharmacies only.
More Information
For more information see below about shingles, visit our FAQ page, or see Shingles - HSE.ie
Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the varicella zoster virus—the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus stays inactive in the body for life and can reactivate years, or even decades later, causing shingles. Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash that can be severe, can cause nerve pain, and may involve the eyes, leading to vision loss.
If you have had chickenpox, you are at risk for shingles. Around one in four adults will get shingles in their lifetime. Shingles is typically associated with aging as well as anything that weakens the immune system such as certain medications, cancers, or infections, but it can also occur in healthy children and younger adults. Shingles is not passed from person to person.
Yes, it can be. Not only can shingles be very painful and uncomfortable, but some people are also left with long-lasting pain called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) for years after the initial rash has healed.
Very rarely, shingles or complications from it can be fatal.
Generally, symptoms range from mild to severe. Shingles starts with some initial pain and tingling, before developing into a rash with blisters that can be itchy, painful and last for about 2-4 weeks. The rash usually only affects the upper body on one side, but can also develop on the head, neck and around the eyes.
Anyone who’s had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles, as the virus remains in certain nerves of the body and can become active again as time goes on. You may be at greater risk if you:
- Have a weakened immune system
- Are aged over 50
- Have become ill
- Are under significant stress
As an injection into the upper arm.
There are 2 shingles vaccines: Zostavax (a live vaccine) and Shingrix (a non-live vaccine).
With both vaccines it's quite common to get redness and discomfort at the vaccination site, headaches and fatigue, but these side effects should not last more than a few days. See a GP if you have side effects that last longer than a few days, or if you develop a rash after having the shingles vaccination.
See below for the side-effects that can be experienced with each of the shingles vaccines:
Live shingles vaccine – Zostavax
- Very common: redness, pain, swelling, itching at the injection site
- Common: warmth, bruising, rash, and a hard lump at the injection site. Headache, pain in the arm or leg, joint pain, muscle pain and fever
- Less common reactions include nausea, swollen glands at the neck or armpits, hives at the injection site
- Very rare: varicella (chickenpox)
Recombinant shingles vaccine – Shingrix
- Very common: headache, stomach, and digestive complaints (including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and/or stomach pain), muscle pain (myalgia), pain, redness and swelling where the injection is given, feeling tired, chills, fever
- Common: itching where the injection is given (pruritus), generally feeling unwell
- Uncommon: swollen glands in the neck, armpit or groin, joint pain
Sometimes, a severe allergic reaction can occur. Signs include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. If this happens, we have procedures in place to deal with this condition.
If you develop a chickenpox-like rash after being vaccinated, you should avoid direct contact with people who have not had it until your rash is dry and crusted, e.g., infants.