Shingles Vaccine in London
Planning a long trip or reducing future risk? Discuss private shingles vaccination in London, with clear advice on timing, doses and suitability before travel.
Shingles vaccination before a long trip or busy year
A shingles vaccine appointment is not only for people who feel unwell. It is usually a prevention conversation, often started by age, immune risk, a previous episode, or a long spell away from home. At City Of London Clinic in London, we can talk through whether shingles vaccination makes sense for you, how the course is timed, and whether it needs fitting around other travel vaccines.
A shingles vaccine appointment is not only for people who feel unwell. It is usually a prevention conversation, often started by age, immune risk, a previous episode, or a long spell away from home. At City Of London Clinic in London, we can talk through whether shingles vaccination makes sense for you, how the course is timed, and whether it needs fitting around other travel vaccines.
A painful rash caused by the chickenpox virus waking up again
Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. That is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus can stay inactive in the nerve roots for years, then reactivate later in life. The usual pattern is a painful, blistering rash on one side of the body. It may appear across the chest, abdomen, face, neck or another area supplied by the affected nerve. Pain can start before the rash appears. Some people also feel feverish, tired or generally run down. For travellers, shingles is awkward because it may need prompt assessment, antiviral treatment, pain relief, and sometimes eye or ear care if the rash affects the face. Most episodes settle within 2 to 4 weeks, but nerve pain can persist after the rash has cleared. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia, and it is one of the reasons prevention is discussed seriously in older adults.
Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. That is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus can stay inactive in the nerve roots for years, then reactivate later in life. The usual pattern is a painful, blistering rash on one side of the body. It may appear across the chest, abdomen, face, neck or another area supplied by the affected nerve. Pain can start before the rash appears. Some people also feel feverish, tired or generally run down. For travellers, shingles is awkward because it may need prompt assessment, antiviral treatment, pain relief, and sometimes eye or ear care if the rash affects the face. Most episodes settle within 2 to 4 weeks, but nerve pain can persist after the rash has cleared. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia, and it is one of the reasons prevention is discussed seriously in older adults.
What the shingles vaccine can and cannot do
The shingles vaccine is used to lower the chance of developing shingles and to reduce the risk of severe nerve pain after shingles. It is not a treatment for an active rash. If you think you have shingles now, you should be assessed for treatment rather than booked straight in for vaccination. In the UK, the routine shingles vaccination programme mainly targets older adults, with eligibility also extended to some people with a severely weakened immune system from age 50. Private vaccination may be discussed outside NHS eligibility, but suitability still needs a proper check. Age, previous shingles, immune-suppressing medicines, cancer treatment, transplant history and current illness all matter. The vaccine is given as an injection, usually into the upper arm. The commonly used inactivated shingles vaccine is normally a two-dose course, with the second dose given later rather than on the same day. A booster is not treated like a standard travel booster; if you have already had a shingles vaccine, bring the date and product name if you have it. Common side effects include a sore arm, redness, tiredness, headache, aching or feeling feverish for a day or two.
The shingles vaccine is used to lower the chance of developing shingles and to reduce the risk of severe nerve pain after shingles. It is not a treatment for an active rash. If you think you have shingles now, you should be assessed for treatment rather than booked straight in for vaccination. In the UK, the routine shingles vaccination programme mainly targets older adults, with eligibility also extended to some people with a severely weakened immune system from age 50. Private vaccination may be discussed outside NHS eligibility, but suitability still needs a proper check. Age, previous shingles, immune-suppressing medicines, cancer treatment, transplant history and current illness all matter. The vaccine is given as an injection, usually into the upper arm. The commonly used inactivated shingles vaccine is normally a two-dose course, with the second dose given later rather than on the same day. A booster is not treated like a standard travel booster; if you have already had a shingles vaccine, bring the date and product name if you have it. Common side effects include a sore arm, redness, tiredness, headache, aching or feeling feverish for a day or two.
This is not a country-list vaccine
Shingles vaccination is different from typhoid, hepatitis A or yellow fever. It is not recommended because you are going to Kenya, India, Bangladesh, Brazil or Peru. The virus is already in your body if you have had chickenpox before, and reactivation can happen at home or abroad. Travel can still make the timing more relevant. A three-month work placement, a cruise with several sea days, remote trekking, or a business trip packed with meetings leaves less room for a painful rash and medical appointments. If your same visit is also covering malaria tablets, travellers’ diarrhoea advice, altitude sickness tablets or period delay medication, shingles vaccination can be reviewed alongside the rest of the plan.
Shingles vaccination is different from typhoid, hepatitis A or yellow fever. It is not recommended because you are going to Kenya, India, Bangladesh, Brazil or Peru. The virus is already in your body if you have had chickenpox before, and reactivation can happen at home or abroad. Travel can still make the timing more relevant. A three-month work placement, a cruise with several sea days, remote trekking, or a business trip packed with meetings leaves less room for a painful rash and medical appointments. If your same visit is also covering malaria tablets, travellers’ diarrhoea advice, altitude sickness tablets or period delay medication, shingles vaccination can be reviewed alongside the rest of the plan.
Plan the timing while your dates are still flexible
The shingles vaccine course may need more than one appointment, so it is better to ask before your diary is tight. Our Goswell Road clinic is straightforward to reach from Farringdon and Moorgate, and appointments run Monday to Saturday. Call 02072539691 or book an appointment to discuss shingles vaccination, travel vaccines and any other medicines you may need before departure.
The shingles vaccine course may need more than one appointment, so it is better to ask before your diary is tight. Our Goswell Road clinic is straightforward to reach from Farringdon and Moorgate, and appointments run Monday to Saturday. Call 02072539691 or book an appointment to discuss shingles vaccination, travel vaccines and any other medicines you may need before departure.
FAQ
Travel Health FAQs
Find clear answers to the most common travel health and malaria prevention questions.
Find clear answers to the most common travel health and malaria prevention questions.
How long before travelling should I start the shingles vaccine course?
Start as early as you reasonably can, especially if you want the full course completed before a long trip. The shingles vaccine is usually given as more than one dose, with a gap between doses. If you are leaving soon, come in anyway; we can tell you what is realistic before your departure date.
Can I have the shingles vaccine at the same appointment as travel vaccines?
Do I need shingles vaccination for India, Kenya or South America?
Is the shingles vaccine suitable if I have a weakened immune system?
Can I have the vaccine if I have had shingles before?
How long before travelling should I start the shingles vaccine course?
Start as early as you reasonably can, especially if you want the full course completed before a long trip. The shingles vaccine is usually given as more than one dose, with a gap between doses. If you are leaving soon, come in anyway; we can tell you what is realistic before your departure date.
Can I have the shingles vaccine at the same appointment as travel vaccines?
Do I need shingles vaccination for India, Kenya or South America?
Is the shingles vaccine suitable if I have a weakened immune system?
Can I have the vaccine if I have had shingles before?
Speak to the team or arrange your visit
If you are comparing clinics or unsure which service you need, we are happy to help. Call the clinic, send us a message or visit us on Goswell Road to speak with the team.
We are easy to reach from the City of London, Farringdon, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, King’s Cross and surrounding central London areas.
CoL
C
City Of London
Clinic
36 Goswell Rd., Golden Lane Estate, London EC1M 7AA
02072539691
info@cityoflondonclinic.co.uk
Hours
Monday
9am - 6:30pm
Tuesday
9am - 6:30pm
Wednesday
9am - 6:30pm
Thursday
9am - 6:30pm
Friday
9am - 6:30pm
Saturday
9am - 2pm
Sunday
Closed
Speak to the team or arrange your visit
If you are comparing clinics or unsure which service you need, we are happy to help. Call the clinic, send us a message or visit us on Goswell Road to speak with the team.
We are easy to reach from the City of London, Farringdon, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, King’s Cross and surrounding central London areas.
CoL
C
City Of London
Clinic
36 Goswell Rd., Golden Lane Estate, London EC1M 7AA
02072539691
info@cityoflondonclinic.co.uk
Hours
Monday
9am - 6:30pm
Tuesday
9am - 6:30pm
Wednesday
9am - 6:30pm
Thursday
9am - 6:30pm
Friday
9am - 6:30pm
Saturday
9am - 2pm
Sunday
Closed
Speak to the team or arrange your visit
If you are comparing clinics or unsure which service you need, we are happy to help. Call the clinic, send us a message or visit us on Goswell Road to speak with the team.
We are easy to reach from the City of London, Farringdon, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, King’s Cross and surrounding central London areas.
36 Goswell Rd., Golden Lane Estate, London EC1M 7AA
02072539691
info@cityoflondonclinic.co.uk
Hours
Monday
9am - 6:30pm
Tuesday
9am - 6:30pm
Wednesday
9am - 6:30pm
Thursday
9am - 6:30pm
Friday
9am - 6:30pm
Saturday
9am - 2pm
Sunday
Closed
City Of London
Clinic
CoL
C