From the 1 September 2025, people aged 18 years and over with a severely weakened immune system will be able to get vaccinated against shingles.
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, including some people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) such as those with kidney transplants or on medications for autoimmune kidney diseases.
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 it before.
Kidney Care UK welcomes this change which should protect more people with kidney disease from this painful and potentially serious condition.
CKD and the shingles vaccine
The UK shingles vaccination programme aims to protect individuals who are most at risk from shingles and its complications. This includes people who have received organ transplants such as kidney transplants and are receiving (or have recently received) immunosuppressant medication.
In 2023 the vaccination programme was extended to immunosuppressed people aged 50 and over. The shingles vaccine is also available on the NHS for all adults turning 65, and those aged 70 to 79.
The eligibility criteria for shingles vaccination is based on recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
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 unsure whether you are eligible for the vaccine, please speak to your kidney team for more information.
A list of people likely to be considered as severely immunosuppressed can be found at getshinglesready.co.uk.