Britain’s elderly population are flocking to get protection against the misery of shingles, it has been announced.
A vaccination programme began in September and already more than half of those aged 70 and 79 have received the vaccine, according to new figures.
But the figures from Public Health England show take-up slowing down this year.
Between September and January about 46% of all those invited underwent vaccination. Another 8% received the vaccine in the next four months.
The vaccine is to be offered to pensioners when they reach the age of 70 – but the programme is also offering a catch-up programme for older people.
According to Public Health England, some 54.8% of people aged 70 and 53.1% of those aged 79 have undergone vaccination.
Dr Mary Ramsay, of Public Health England, said: “We are pleased with the coverage of the new shingles immunisation programme and that the number of those receiving the vaccine is continuing to increase.
“We are writing to Screening and Immunisation Leads across England to remind them to use this window of opportunity to work with primary care colleagues so that as many of the eligible population as possible are protected against what can be an unpleasant and sometimes serious infection.”
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