Takeaway
- In the 3 years following PHE's introduction of shingles vaccination programme, England has witnessed a significant reduction in the incidence of shingles and its complications such as post-herpetic neuralgia.
Public Health England (PHE) recently released new evidence highlighting the impact of the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccination programme, which indicated a significant reduction in incidence and long-term complications. The evidence comes from a study published in The Lancet Public Health journal which evaluated the incidence of shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) during 3 years since the introduction of shingles vaccination by PHE in September 2013.
It is estimated that more than 50,000 individuals aged ≥70 years in England and Wales get shingles each year, with ~50 of them fatally succumbing to the disease. 5.5 million individuals in England were immunised during the first 3 years of the programme, accounting for ~17,000 fewer GP visits for shingles.
The analysis of the vaccine programme showed a 62% efficacy rate of the vaccine against shingles and 70%-88% efficacy against PHN or chronic pain, a primary complication of shingles. The study also revealed 35% and 50% reductions in GP visits for shingles and PHN, respectively, among 70-year olds between 2013 and 2016.
All individuals who have completed 70 years or 78 years of age and are advised by PHE to book an appointment with their GP for receiving the shingles vaccine. The advice is also applicable to individuals under 80 years of age who have previously missed out.
