Shingles Vaccination Rates Decline Among Older Islanders in 2024

A new report has highlighted that significantly fewer older islanders received the shingles vaccine in 2024 than health experts recommend.

According to the Public Health Jersey Immunisation Report 2024, fewer than 30% of 70-year-olds were vaccinated against shingles — well below the Department of Health and Social Care’s 60% target.

Health officials warned that around one in four people are likely to contract shingles at some point in their lives. The condition, which causes a painful rash and headaches, can lead to long-term nerve pain in some cases.

The report stated:

“Coverage in the 70-year-old cohort was 28.9%, below the Department of Health and Social Care’s 60% standard.”

Eligibility for the shingles vaccine was expanded in 2024 to include people turning 60 or 70 during the year, adults aged 70 to 79 who had not yet been vaccinated, those aged 50 and over with weakened immune systems, and islanders born between 1955 and 1963 as part of a catch-up programme.

However, uptake among adults aged 72 to 79 remained low — between 2% and 6% depending on age group — suggesting limited engagement with the expanded offer.

Despite the shortfall in shingles vaccination rates, the report noted encouraging trends in other areas of the immunisation programme. Jersey outperformed the UK in three out of four infant vaccine categories, with most childhood vaccinations achieving the 95% coverage goal by age five.

In addition, 73% of pregnant women in Jersey received the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine in 2024, helping to protect both mothers and newborns from the respiratory infection.