One in three adults will develop shingles at some point in their lives, with older adults and immunocompromised people most at risk. Aside from a painful blistering rash, severe cases of shingles can lead to vision and hearing loss, neurological conditions and long-term debilitating nerve pain. However, less than 1 in 10 older adults across Europe are vaccinated against the disease.

A new report by the International Longevity Centre (ILC), the leading authority on the impact of longevity on society, finds that whilst vaccination is valued by European adults, knowledge of shingles and uptake of vaccination is worryingly low. The study, based on a survey of over 3600 adults aged 50+ across nine European countries, reveals that:

• People aren’t getting vaccinated against shingles: whilst nearly 80% of participants agreed vaccination was important to their health, only 42% were aware of the shingles vaccine and less than 10% had received it.
• Knowledge of shingles is poor: less than half of participants knew that their risk of infection increases with age, and one in five didn’t know how severe an infection could be.
• Healthcare professionals aren’t informing people of the risks: only one in ten participants was informed of the risks of shingles by their doctor, and in some countries – such as The Netherlands and Sweden – this number is as low as one in twenty.
• Knowledge is a key driver for uptake: Knowledge of the health impact of shingles was biggest motivator for participants who had already been vaccinated, whilst free vaccination and improved knowledge would support increased uptake.

Improving vaccination uptake is not only a matter of protecting population health. The virus that causes shingles, as well as chickenpox, costs the EU $660 million each year in both direct and indirect costs.

The ILC’s Painfully Unaware report, supported by GSK, calls for the EU, national governments, health workers and public health bodies to do more to educate individuals on the risks of shingles and encourage widespread vaccination uptake. The authors propose that:

• The UK and every EU member state should recommend the shingles vaccine for older and immunocompromised adults, free of charge, with uptake targets of at least 75% of the eligible population.
• Healthcare systems should implement automated reminder systems for healthcare professionals to recommend the vaccination to eligible individuals.
• Vaccination should be available in various healthcare settings outside of GP surgeries, including pharmacies.
• Comprehensive reporting and data collection must be required at a regional, country and continental level.

Anna van Renen, Research and Policy Officer, ILC said:

“Shingles can be really nasty but much of the pain can be avoided. As people get older, we should be doing more to make sure they’re protected from diseases like shingles. Immunisation can be a gamechanger. Policymakers need to do more to raise awareness of the increased risk of shingles as we age and ensure better access to these vaccines for older people.”

Ends

Contact

Contact press@ilcuk.org.uk or +44 (0) 773612496 for press queries. Spokespeople are available for interview.

Notes

The full Painfully unaware: Improving older people’s understanding of shingles vaccination in an ageing society is available at https://ilcuk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ILC-Painfully-Unaware.pdf

The ILC conducted desk research and surveyed 3613 adults over the age of 50 from 9 European countries – Austria, Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

This research and report have been made possible with support from GSK.

How does the UK compare?

The study, based on a survey of over 3600 adults aged 50+ across nine European countries shows that whilst nearly 80% of participants agreed vaccination was important to their health, only 42% were aware of the shingles vaccine and less than 10% had received it.

The UK has the highest uptake rate and the strongest shingles vaccination programme of all the nine countries surveyed. In the UK, the NHS funds vaccination for those aged 70-79: in this age group, 58% of participants have received the vaccine. It’s the only country that invites residents for vaccination when they are of eligible age, through phone calls, texts, emails or letters, depending on the patient’s contact preference. Uptake is second highest in Greece, which also has a strong programme.

People over 50 in the UK also have better awareness that their risk of shingles and the severity of symptoms increase with age. However, 47% of UK respondents answered, “don’t know” to the question “When do you think you’ll be at risk of developing shingles?” and only 20% answered that they were at risk now.

Over the next decade the NHS funded vaccine will be made available to more people – see roll out timetable below. However, while the UK is ahead of many other European countries it will need to do more to raise awareness to improve uptake. 

Recent changes to shingles vaccines in the UK

In September 2023, the UK changed their shingles vaccine recommendation.

Over the next 10 years, they’re phasing in a new system.

From September 1st 2023 to August 31st 2028, it is available to:

• everyone aged between 70 and 79
• people who turn 65 on or after September 1st 2023
• those aged over 50 who are severely immunocompromised

From September 1st 2028 to August 31st 2033, it will be available to:

• people who turn 65 on or after September 1st 2028
• people who turn 60 on or after September 1st 2028
• those aged over 50 who are severely immunocompromised

From September 1st 2033 onwards, the vaccine will be offered to all immunocompetent individuals at the age of 60 (i.e. everyone as they turn 60). For more information see here.