Shingles Vaccination
Private shingles vaccination for anyone outside the free NHS criteria — a two-dose course, two months apart.
Shingles is a painful rash caused by the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster) reactivating years after the original infection. The risk rises with age, particularly after 50, and vaccination is the most effective way to reduce both the risk of shingles and the risk of its complications.
Before you book
- This is a two-dose course. At £250 a dose that is £500 in total, with the second dose two months after the first.
- A £20 deposit is taken when you book, and comes off the cost of that appointment.
- You will need to complete a risk assessment. We email it after you book, and it must be back with us at least 48 hours before your appointment.
- Booking gives consent for us to see your Summary Care Record where the pharmacist needs it. If you would rather we did not, tell us straight after booking.
Who can have the vaccine?
- Adults aged 50 and over
- Anyone 18 or over at increased risk of developing shingles
- Adults who fall outside the current NHS criteria for a free shingles vaccine
If you are not sure whether you qualify for the free NHS vaccine, ask us before booking — it is worth checking.
Vaccination schedule
| Dose | When | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dose 1 | Day 0 | £250 |
| Dose 2 | 2 months after the first | £250 |
We book your second dose at the end of the first appointment, so you are never left working out the timing yourself.
Can I still have it if I have had shingles?
Yes. Having had shingles does not guarantee lifelong protection, and vaccination may still be recommended. We can advise you based on your medical history.
How the service works
- Book your appointment online. A £20 deposit is taken, and comes off the cost of the appointment.
- Complete the risk assessment form we email you, at least 48 hours before your appointment.
- On the day, the pharmacist gives the vaccine and books your second dose before you leave.
Access to your Summary Care Record (SCR)
So that the vaccine can be given safely and appropriately, the pharmacist may need to access your NHS Summary Care Record.
By booking an appointment you consent to the pharmacy accessing your Summary Care Record where it is required for this service.
If you do not consent, please contact the pharmacy as soon as possible after booking and before your appointment. Without enough clinical information, the pharmacist may not be able to proceed.
Telling your GP
This is a private vaccination service, and we do not routinely notify your GP that you have been vaccinated.
After each dose we give you documentation confirming the vaccine given, the batch number, the date, and the other relevant details. We strongly recommend passing this to your GP so your medical record can be updated.
Cancellation and non-attendance
If you cannot attend your appointment, please let us know as soon as you can.
- An appointment missed without 24 hours’ notice counts as a non-attendance.
- The £20 deposit is forfeited.
- A new appointment and a new deposit are needed before another can be arranged.
The risk assessment
We email the risk assessment after you book. If it is not completed at least 48 hours before your appointment, the appointment may be postponed or rescheduled — it cannot go ahead without it.
It is your responsibility to make sure everything you tell us is accurate, complete and up to date. If your medical circumstances change after you submit the questionnaire, please tell us before your appointment.
Already have shingles? That is a different service — our NHS Pharmacy First shingles consultation is for treating an active case, and it is free.