Private Shingles Vaccine
We offer a private shingles vaccination service at Hanborough Pharmacy in Witney. Contact us or see us in-store to find out more.
One of our pharmacists will have a short consultation with you to assess your suitability for this service before offering the vaccine to you. This is a private service, a fee is payable at the pharmacy for the Shingles Vaccine.
What Is Shingles?
Reactivation of the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster virus) in adulthood causes a painful skin rash known as Shingles (herpes zoster).
It is estimated that 90% of the UK population are infected with the virus that causes shingles. There is a 1 in 4 chance of the dormant varicella-zoster virus reactivating and causing shingles.
What Are The Main Symptoms?
It begins as a burning or painful sensation over an area of skin, leading to a rash that develops into fluid-filled blisters. It usually affects one side of the body. It commonly affects the chest, head, face, and eyes. The blisters burst and turn into sores before healing.
Most At-Risk Groups
The risk of shingles increases with age. Those 50 and over are at a higher risk of developing shingles at some point. This is mainly due to the weakening of the immune system as we grow older. This decline in our immunity occurs naturally with age.
Is Shingles Contiguous?
Shingles are caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus that already exists in the person body. Therefore, one cannot catch shingles. The virus that causes chickenpox and shingles is the same, therefore if someone who has not had chickenpox comes into direct contact with the blisters of someone with shingles, they might catch chickenpox. Find the latest information on shingles on the NHS website, click here.
Is There A Treatment For Shingles?
If you believe that you might have shingles, it is important that you contact your GP or your healthcare provider as soon as possible. If you are diagnosed with Shingles, you could be given medication to reduce the severity and duration of your symptoms.
Can You Prevent Shingles?
Currently, there are vaccinations available to help prevent shingles. The NHS offers these vaccinations to those aged 70 to 79, you can ask your GP for details.
Those who are not eligible for the NHS singles vaccination service could get the vaccine privately at our clinic. The pharmacist will have a short consultation with you to check the suitability of the vaccine before offering the vaccination to you. Book your appointment online today.