Skip to main content

Shingles vaccinations

On this page

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.

Shingles can be very painful and is more common among older people. The older you are, the worse it can be. For some, the pain caused by shingles can last for many years.

The risk of shingles and its complications is high for older people and those who have a severely weakened immune system.

The shingles vaccine helps to build up your immunity to the virus. This means if you do get shingles, your body will fight it off more easily.

Shingles Vaccinations

Important: Eligibility and more information

NHS Inform Logo

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
Shingles vaccine - at NHS inform

Community vaccination clinic locations

A location on this map does not always represent a bookable or drop-in clinic there. Clinics will end, can fill up or be cancelled at short notice. Use this map only to find a clinic location if you need it.

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.

see vaccination clinic locations on an interactive map
Interactive Map Of Vaccination Clinic Locations In Nhs Highland

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.

Shingles Vaccine Two Doses Needed

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

Our Service Delivery Centre provides a centralised point of contact for the population of the NHS Highland area, co-ordinating vaccination appointments. The Service Delivery Centre can be contacted to:

  • book an appointment 
  • rearrange an appointment 
  • cancel an appointment (please let us know so we can offer a place to someone else)
  • provide assistance with general vaccination enquiries - for example, if you have a condition that means you need additional support at your appointment, we can make arrangements

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.

Please do not send repeated voicemails and emails - we will attend to messages in order. This will help the team to get back to everyone quickly.

Call or email

email nhsh.vaccinationenquiries@nhs.scot

Please use this email address for enquiries whenever possible.

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. The line is closed on public holidays.

Vaccinations for adults

Last updated: 6 July 2026

Something wrong or missing on this page?


Contact the Web Manager to ask for corrections or to add information.

Head Office

NHS Highland
Assynt House
Beechwood Park
Inverness
IV2 3BW

Feedback

Phone