How furious Mail readers reacted to our report on NHS rules that mean 65-year-olds and the over-70s get a vital shingles jab, but not those aged 66 to 69… as even top politicians step in to try to solve the problem junk to be unloaded

Frustrated Mail on Sunday readers have lashed out at ‘insulting’ and ‘crazy’ rules which mean people aged 65 and over 70 can get a shingles vaccination, but people aged 66 to 69 are excluded.

This newspaper last week highlighted the situation that has left some three million Britons without the latest protection against the painful virus.

The crucial Shingrix jab – which is given in two doses and has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of developing shingles – is being offered to everyone when they turn 65, as well as to people aged 70 to 80. It will be offered to everyone soon. -80 too.

But a global shortage has led the government to prioritize vaccinating certain age groups – leaving 66- to 69-year-olds in the dark despite being equally at risk.

Readers have written to us in droves to tell how they were denied the jab upon request – something many have called ‘blatant ageism’.

MPs are now taking notice – Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt has raised concerns with the Department of Health and Social Care about the situation, this newspaper understands. Ms Mordaunt says she plans to lobby the Government to allow everyone aged 65 and over to get the vaccine.

We have also been contacted by people in the UK who claim they have been forced to spend more than £400 to get the jab privately due to strict NHS rules.

Older patients also complained that they were banned from getting the Shingrix vaccine because they had received an outdated, ineffective shot in the past.

An 80-year-old told us how they have had four attacks of shingles since receiving the old vaccine ten years ago. Others explained that they were aged between 66 and 69 and were struck by the virus and were furious at being blocked from getting the latest jab.

The condition is related to chickenpox – the highly contagious infection that causes an itchy, patchy rash, usually in children.

The virus that causes it – varicella-zoster – remains in the body for life and lies dormant in the spinal nerves, but as the immune system weakens with age it can reactivate, causing a blotchy, red rash of blisters that can eventually become unbearable are. painful.

Andrea Darwin, 68, suffered an attack last year that she compared to “someone attacking me with a hot knife every day for weeks.” It was her second bout of shingles in less than five years, but thanks to restrictions she will have to wait another two years before she can get the vaccine.

“If I get the shot, I may never have to endure that terrifying pain again,” she says. ‘I was so happy when I saw the advert for the vaccine, but then I found out I couldn’t get it. It is ridiculous.’

And Christine Farquhar, 66, was so concerned about the risk of shingles that she decided to pay £450 to obtain the vaccine privately after being told she would have to wait until 2028 before it became available on the NHS.

Like many readers, Christine compared the situation to the ‘Waspi Women’ scandal – the ladies born in the 1950s whose state pension age was raised from 60 to 65 to be equal to men, but which they no longer had to have their own pocket.

“Each jab cost £225,” she says. ‘I have lost state pension and free travel for five years due to changes in government policy. I’m extremely annoyed.’

More than 50,000 older Brits get shingles every year, and almost one in four will suffer from it at some point in their lives.

The government announced in September that it would offer the new shingles vaccine Shingrix. The previous jab, called Zostavax, reduced the risk of shingles by 50 percent before waning. Shingrix is ​​90 percent effective and provides long-lasting protection. However, the jab is in high demand worldwide, meaning the NHS has placed a limit on the number of patients who can receive the jab – which experts say is the main reason for the decision to exclude 66 to 69-year-olds. of having it.

There are also no plans to re-inject patients who have already received Zostavax with the superior Shingrix due to low supplies.

We have also heard from a worrying number of patients with underlying health conditions that make them more susceptible to shingles, but who have still been told they cannot get the jab.

The new guidelines state that anyone over the age of 50 with a weakened immune system should receive the shingles vaccine.

But Russell Davison, 68, who has type 2 diabetes – which studies show increases the risk of shingles – has been told he will have to wait until he is 70 for the jab.

“I’m excluded,” he says. “It seems strange to deny this to an age group that embraces and understands the value of vaccines.”

Carole Lawrence, 80, says she has had four attacks of shingles since getting the Zostavax shot at the age of 70. “Every time it’s in a different place, my waist, shoulder, arm, leg, but not so far on my face,” she adds. ‘I’ve been feeling really bad for a while. My experience shows that the old vaccine was not that good.’

Experts claim the NHS should consider offering the new vaccine to those who have already received Zostavax.

“As protection from Zostavax only lasts about ten years, it would make sense to jab people again after this point,” said Prof Adam Finn, a vaccine expert at the University of Bristol and a vaccine adviser to the government. “I understand why people in their 80s would want this new vaccine.”

Both the UK Health Security Agency and Ms Mordaunt have been contacted for comment.

The confusing rules at a glance

Anyone turning 65 will now be offered the new Shingrix jab – and will remain eligible until they are 80.

However, anyone who turns 65 before September 1, 2023 will have to wait until they are 70 for the vaccine.

And anyone aged between 70 and 80 who has not had the old Zostavax vaccine is also eligible for the Shingrix jab as part of a catch-up campaign.

The new shingles vaccine is available for people aged 50 or older with a severely weakened immune system. This includes some people with blood cancer, HIV or AIDS, people who have recently had radiotherapy or chemotherapy and anyone who has recently had an organ transplant.

People aged 50 or older who take certain medications that severely weaken the immune system can also receive the shingles vaccine.