Shingles & Flu Vaccination

Protecting Yourself This Winter

As we approach the winter months, it is a good time to think about two vaccinations that can help protect against illnesses that become particularly relevant as we get older: the shingles vaccine and the annual influenza (flu) vaccine.

Vaccination can sometimes be a controversial subject, and it is perfectly reasonable to have questions about how effective vaccines are, what side effects they can cause and whether you personally need them. The important thing is to make an informed decision based on reliable evidence and your own circumstances.

Shingles – more than just a rash

Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After someone has chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nervous system. Years or even decades later, it can reactivate and cause shingles.

The risk increases with age, particularly from around the age of 50 onwards, because the immune system gradually becomes less effective at controlling the dormant virus.

Shingles usually causes pain, burning, tingling or increased sensitivity in an area of skin, followed by a blistering rash. Typically, the rash occurs on one side of the body or face in the distribution of a particular nerve.

For most people, the rash settles within two to four weeks. However, shingles can sometimes have much more significant consequences.

The most common important complication is post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). This occurs when the nerves affected by shingles remain painful after the rash has disappeared. The pain can be severe and may feel burning, stabbing or like electric shocks. In some people it persists for many months or even years. The risk increases substantially with age.

Shingles affecting the face can also be particularly serious. If the virus involves the nerves supplying the eye, it can cause inflammation and potentially permanent damage to vision.

Less commonly, shingles can cause neurological complications such as meningitis or encephalitis. People with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe disease.

The shingles vaccine

The current shingles vaccine, Shingrix, is a non-live vaccine given as two injections. It has been extensively studied and provides a high level of protection against shingles in adults aged 50 and over, as well as substantially reducing the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia.

Because Shingrix does not contain a live virus, it cannot give you shingles. The vaccine does, however, commonly cause temporary side effects. A sore arm, tiredness, muscle aches, headache, chills or fever can occur and generally settle within a few days. Serious adverse reactions are uncommon.

Even if you have had shingles previously, vaccination may still be beneficial because a previous episode does not guarantee lifelong immunity.

And what about flu?

Influenza is sometimes dismissed as simply "a bad cold", but flu is a different and potentially much more serious infection. It can cause high fever, severe muscle aches, exhaustion and respiratory symptoms, and occasionally leads to complications such as pneumonia or hospitalisation.

The risk of serious complications is particularly relevant for older adults, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions and those with weakened immune systems.

The flu vaccine is updated regularly because the influenza viruses circulating in the community change over time. Unlike the shingles vaccine, flu vaccination is generally given every year, because protection decreases over time and the vaccine composition is reviewed for the strains expected to circulate during the coming season.

The flu vaccine is not perfect. Its effectiveness varies from season to season, partly depending on how closely the vaccine matches the viruses circulating at the time. However, vaccination reduces the risk of influenza and, importantly, can reduce the severity of illness and the risk of complications.

A common misconception is that the flu vaccine can give you influenza. The injectable flu vaccines used for adults do not contain live influenza virus and cannot cause influenza. Some people experience a sore arm, fatigue or a mild fever after vaccination, which represents the immune system responding to the vaccine rather than an influenza infection.

Are vaccines completely risk-free?

No medical treatment is entirely without risk, and vaccines are no exception. Some people experience side effects, and very rarely more serious reactions can occur. Vaccines therefore undergo extensive safety testing before they are introduced and continue to be monitored after they come into widespread use.

The appropriate question is not whether a vaccine has any risk, but how its potential risks compare with the risks associated with the infection it is designed to prevent.

For many people, particularly those at increased risk of complications, vaccination offers a way of substantially reducing the chance of becoming seriously ill.

What should you do?

There isn't a single vaccination schedule that is appropriate for everyone. Your age, medical history, medications, immune status and previous reactions to vaccines all need to be taken into account.

For many people living in Paphos, particularly those aged 60 and over, this is a good time to discuss shingles vaccination with their doctor. Those in groups recommended for annual influenza vaccination should also consider having their flu vaccine before the influenza season becomes established.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible for either vaccination, speak to your GP or personal doctor. They can look at your individual circumstances and explain the potential benefits and risks.

Vaccination is not about guaranteeing that you will never become infected. Rather, it is one of the tools we have to reduce the likelihood of infection and, importantly, reduce the risk of serious complications.

As winter approaches, taking a little time to review your vaccinations can be a simple and worthwhile part of looking after your health.

Asprou Healthcare will be commencing a series of Flu Vaccination Clinics during October 2026. (DatesTBC).

It is envisaged that we will commence dedicated flu clinics during the weekends here at Asprou Healthcare so as not to impact on weekday appointments and also to ensure greater availability for patient vaccination.

Please contact Brian on 26 006609 or email admin@asprouhealthcare.com to register your interest.