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Practices can vaccinate against shingles, DH says

The DH has given approval for GPs to vaccinate patients against shingles and will shortly make a decision on whether to run a national campaign for older people.

The DH has given approval for GPs to vaccinate patients against shingles and will shortly make a decision on whether to run a national campaign for older people.

Guidance states GPs can vaccinate anyone against shingles if they judge it is clinically indicated and would be 'beneficial for an individual patient'.

In 2010, the government's independent vaccine advisory committee advised that a national shingles vaccination programme for adults age 70 to 79 years should be introduced, provided that a licensed vaccine was available at a cost-effective price.