Shingles is a common condition that causes a painful rash and can sometimes have serious complications.
People who are older or have a severely weakened immune system are more likely to get shingles.
Vaccination helps to reduce your chances of getting shingles and reduce your chances of developing serious problems if you do get shingles.
You can get shingles more than once, so it's important to get vaccinated even if you've had shingles before.
CKD and the shingles vaccine
The UK shingles vaccination programme aims to protect individuals who are most at risk from shingles and its complications. The shingles vaccination is now recommended for people aged 50 or over who are severely immunocompromised. The eligibility criteria for shingles vaccination is based on recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
You can read the shingles guidance update summary, which was produced by the UK Kidney Association (UKKA) and the British Transplant Society, on the UKKA website.
"Patients aged 50 and over who are either receiving immunosuppressive therapy for a solid organ transplant; received rituximab in the last 6 months; are taking prednisolone, azathioprine or mycophenolate at moderate doses or are anticipating immunosuppressive therapy should speak to their kidney consultant team about whether they are eligible to receive the Shingrix® vaccine," says Clare Morlidge, Consultant Renal Pharmacist.
Shingrix® is a two-dose schedule vaccine, with the second dose administered two to six months after the first dose.
How to get the shingles vaccine
The shingles vaccine will be administered by GPs in all UK countries.
If you are eligible for the vaccine, speak to your kidney team for more information.