Local GP practices are offering patients the free vaccination as part of the NHS shingles immunisation campaign for 2017/18.
Dr Ardiana Gjini, Public Health Screening and Immunisation lead for Bath, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire said:
“As people get older their immune system naturally weakens which is why those people aged 70 and over are more likely to get shingles. Shingles can be very painful and lead to health problems long after the initial rash has disappeared. I am urging all eligible patients to contact their GP practice now to arrange to be vaccinated against the virus. It’s needed only once in your lifetime and it prevents a rather painful condition, so it’s important that you get it while you’re the right age Find out more”