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Travel Clinic

Shingles Vaccine in London

The shingles vaccine is over 90% effective at preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia. A 2-dose course recommended for all adults aged 50 and over — available privately without a GP referral.

Starting from

£220

Protects against shingles (herpes zoster) — a painful reactivation of the chickenpox virus. 2-dose course recommended for adults over 50.

Price

£220 per dose

Doses

2 (2–6 months apart)

Protection

10+ years

Course cost

£420 total

Effectiveness

>90%

Overview

Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in nerve tissue and can reactivate decades later, causing a painful blistering rash along a nerve pathway. Approximately 1 in 3 people will develop shingles in their lifetime. The shingles vaccine is a non-live recombinant vaccine that is over 90% effective at preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia across all age groups studied. At Holborn Clinic, we provide the shingles vaccine privately for anyone aged 50 and over — no GP referral needed.

Holborn Travel Clinic is inside Boutalls Pharmacy at 60 Lamb's Conduit Street, London WC1N 3LW, minutes from Holborn and Russell Square stations.

Who Needs This Vaccine?

  • All adults aged 50 and over — the risk of shingles increases significantly with age.
  • Adults aged 70–79 are eligible for the free NHS programme, but waiting times can be long. Private vaccination at Holborn Clinic offers immediate availability.
  • People with weakened immune systems — at higher risk of shingles and its complications.
  • Anyone who has had chickenpox (the shingles virus is already dormant in your body).
  • People who have previously had shingles — vaccination can prevent recurrence.

What to Expect

  • The course is 2 doses given 2–6 months apart. Each is an injection in the upper arm.
  • Each appointment takes approximately 15 minutes.
  • The shingles vaccine is not a live vaccine — it is safe for immunocompromised individuals.
  • You do not need to wait until age 70 for the NHS programme — private vaccination is available from age 50.

Side Effects

  • Very common: injection site pain, redness, and swelling. Muscle pain, fatigue, headache, and fever for 2–3 days. These reactions are more common than with many other vaccines but are temporary.
  • The intensity of side effects reflects a strong immune response — this is why the shingles vaccine is over 90% effective.
  • Serious side effects are rare.
Vaccines

Related Vaccines

Other vaccines available at our London clinic. Your pharmacist will confirm what you need for your trip.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) VaccineTyphoid VaccineVitamin B12 InjectionWhooping Cough (Pertussis) Vaccine
View all vaccines
Enquiries

Shingles Vaccine FAQ’s

Yes — once you have had shingles, it can recur. Vaccination with the shingles vaccine is recommended even for people who have previously had shingles, as it significantly reduces the risk of recurrence.

Ready to Book?

Same day appointments available. Call ahead to book. No consultation fees.

Book an AppointmentCall 0207 405 1039