Shingles vaccinations
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The shingles vaccine is offered to adults over 65 years old, and those with eligible health conditions. It helps to protect people from shingles (herpes zoster).
We strongly encourage those eligible to take up the vaccination offer when it comes.
Important: Please wait to be contacted
NHS Highland will contact you by letter with details of your shingles vaccination appointment, once you become eligible.
Important: Eligibility and more information
Whether you can get the shingles vaccine in winter 2025-26 depends on your age and if you have an eligible health condition. You can get the shingles vaccine if you:
- were aged 65 or 70 on 1 September 2025
- or were aged 71 to 79 on 1 September 2025
- or have an eligible health condition
Find out more at NHS inform:
- who can get the shingles vaccine
- how to get the shingles vaccine
- side effects of the shingles vaccine
- about the shingles vaccine you will be offered
- shingles vaccine information in other languages and formats
Community vaccination clinic locations
You do not need to book at your closest venue if you don't want to wait. If you're able to travel, you can make a vaccination clinic booking at any available venue outside your local area, where capacity allows.
Two doses
You need to have 2 doses of the shingles vaccine for it to be effective.
You’ll be offered your second dose 2 to 12 months after your first dose.
Changes to the shingles vaccination programme (video)
NHS Scotland has started to offer the shingles vaccine to a much larger group of people, to help protect people at an earlier age. We can't do this all at once so it needs to be rolled out on a phased basis over 10 years.
Important: Help by phone or email
Use these contacts for questions about vaccination clinics, including if you:
- have been asked to book an appointment
- need to rearrange an appointment
- need to cancel an appointment (please let us know so we can offer a place to someone else)
When leaving a message by phone or email, please include your name and address (including postcode). One of the team will get back to you as soon as possible. Leave one message only as this will help the team to get back to everyone quickly.
Call or email our local Service Delivery Centre
phone 0800 032 0339
Available:
- Monday: 9:15am to 5:00pm
- Tuesday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
- Wednesday: 9:30am to 5:00pm
- Thursday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
- Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
You can leave a voicemail outside these hours with details.