According to the latest annual report of Jersey’s immunisation statistics only 56 per cent of Islanders eligible for the vaccine received the jab last year compared to 68 per cent in 2016.
Dr Linda Diggle, head of preventative programmes who oversees the Island’s vaccination schedule, is now calling on 70-year-olds to have the vaccine.
Islanders become eligible for the shingles vaccine in their 70th birthday year. Since the vaccine programme was introduced in 2016 more than 5,500 Islanders have received the injection.
A catch-up programme in 2016/17 also offered the vaccine to 71-79-year-olds.
Dr Diggle said: ‘If you were born in 1948 and you haven’t yet had the shingles vaccine, please make an appointment with your GP to get this important protection. You only need to have the vaccine once.
‘Shingles is a very painful condition and while it can occur at any age, it is those in their seventh decade that are most likely to suffer from the condition.
‘The older you are, often you’re more likely to suffer from shingles for longer and have an increased risk of complications, such as ongoing nerve pain.
‘There is no cure for the condition, so preventing shingles by having the vaccination is, by far, the best option. And if you have already had shingles, the vaccine will boost your immunity against further shingles attacks.’
