Changes to the NHS Shingles Vaccine Programme 25 August 2023 From September 1st, more people will be eligible for the NHS shingles vaccine. Previously the shingles vaccine programme was limited to those aged 70 – 79, but from September 2023 eligibility will be extended to include those who turn 65 or who are aged 50 or over and have a severely weakened immune system. The NHS says you’ll be contacted by your GP surgery when you become eligible for the vaccine. Please remember to check whether you need to ask for the non-live Shingrix vaccine. The Green Book highlights the eligibility criteria: Individuals on immunosuppressive or immunomodulating therapy including: those who are receiving or have received in the previous 3 months targeted therapy for autoimmune disease, such as JAK inhibitors or biologic immune modulators including: B-cell targeted therapies (including rituximab but for which a 6-month period should be considered immunosuppressive), monoclonal tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), T-cell co-stimulation modulators, soluble TNF receptors, interleukin (IL)-6 receptor inhibitors. IL-17 inhibitors, IL 12/23 inhibitors, IL 23 inhibitors (N.B: this list is not exhaustive). Individuals with chronic immune mediated inflammatory disease who are receiving or have received immunosuppressive therapy: ● moderate to high dose corticosteroids (equivalent ≥20mg prednisolone per day) for more than 10 days in the previous month. ● long term moderate dose corticosteroids (equivalent to ≥10mg prednisolone per day for more than 4 weeks) in the previous 3 months. ● any non-biological oral immune modulating drugs e.g., methotrexate >20mg per week (oral and subcutaneous), azathioprine >3.0mg/kg/day; 6-mercaptopurine >1.5mg/kg/day, mycophenolate >1g/day) in the previous 3 months. ● certain combination therapies at individual doses lower than stated above, including those on ≥7.5mg prednisolone per day in combination with other immunosuppressants (other than hydroxychloroquine or sulfasalazine) and those receiving methotrexate (any dose) with leflunomide in the previous 3 months. Full details can be found below: NHS Website | Shingles Updates The Green Book – Chapter 28, Page 7.