Shingles and pneumococcal vaccinations in the Western Isles

NHS Western Isles is urging anyone eligible who has not yet attended an appointment for shingles or pneumococcal vaccination to contact NHS Western Isles to make a suitable appointment. 

Shingles vaccination 

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is an infection of a nerve and the skin around it. It's caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. It's estimated that around one in every four people will have at least one episode of shingles during their life. When the chickenpox virus causes shingles, it usually affects a specific nerve and the area of skin around it, causing a rash with very painful blisters and often long-term pain. 

The vaccine will reduce your chances of developing shingles by more than a third. If you do go on to have shingles, the symptoms will be milder and won't last as long as they would have if you hadn't been immunised. The vaccine is given as one dose, unless you have a severely weakened immune system in which case you will be given a second dose. 

People aged between 70 and 79 on 1 September 2021 are eligible for the free shingles vaccine. If you are eligible and have not yet been vaccinated, please contact 0808 196 8383 or wi.covidvax@nhs.scot to arrange an appointment. 

We do also have a new vaccine available for people within this age group who have severely weakened immune systems, so we would encourage people in this category to also contact us for an appointment. 

The national shingles vaccination information leaflet is available at: Protect yourself from the pain of shingles (healthscotland.com) 

Pneumococcal vaccination 

The pneumococcal vaccine provides some protection against a form of bacterial meningitis caused by pneumococcal bacteria, as well as other conditions such as severe ear infections. 

The pneumococcal vaccine is available in Scotland for all people aged 65 years and over. 

It may also be available if you're under 65 (including children) and are considered to be ‘at risk’, or have a serious medical condition, such as: 

• problems with the spleen,  
• chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and emphysema 
• serious heart conditions 
• severe kidney disease 
• long-term liver disease 
• diabetes that requires medication 
• lowered immunity due to disease or treatment, such as people with HIV, people receiving chemotherapy for cancer, or people who are on long-term oral steroids for conditions such as asthma 
• cochlear implants (a specific hearing device) 
• cerebrospinal fluid leaks 
• if your job involves exposure to metal fumes (for example, if you are a welder) 

Most people aged 65 or over only need a single dose of the vaccine, which will help protect them for life. People with a long-term health condition will either need a one-off single dose or one dose every five years, depending on their underlying health condition. Some children aged 2 years or over with a health condition may also need additional doses. 

If you are eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine and have not yet attended an appointment, please contact NHS Western Isles to arrange an appointment at your convenience: 0808 196 8383 or email wi.covidvax@nhs.scot 

The national pneumococcal vaccination information leaflet is available at: Protect yourself against pneumonia and meningitis (healthscotland.com)