Next-day appointments available
Book an appointment at one of our branches for next-day service.
About shingles
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful skin rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster virus) in people who have previously had chickenpox. It begins with a burning sensation in the skin, followed by a rash of painful fluid-filled blisters that can burst and turn into sores before healing. Often an area on just one side of the body is affected, usually the chest but sometimes the head, face and eye.
Although there is no cure for shingles, treatment can help to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms. Antiviral medications like aciclovir are often prescribed to help speed up recovery, while painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can be used to manage pain. With appropriate care and attention, most people with shingles will recover fully. If you think you may have shingles, you should contact your doctor for advice and prompt treatment.
Who can have the shingles vaccine?
The NHS offers the shingles vaccine to people aged 70 to 79.
At Midway Pharmacy, our shingles vaccination service is suitable for adults who:
Are aged 50 or over
Haven't already had the vaccine
Haven't had an allergic reaction to the vaccine before
Are not immunocompromised (a weakened immune system)
Are not pregnant or breastfeeding
Haven't had a temperature in the 24 hours leading up to the appointment
How this service works
Select your preferred service option and book an appointment
Follow the link in your booking confirmation email to fill out the patient questionnaire (at least 12 hours before your appointment)
One of our prescribers will review the completed questionnaire and contact you to discuss this
Visit the branch at the selected date and time to receive the vaccine
Available service options
This service has been discontinued.
What our customers think
5 out of 5 stars
Vaccinations all given professionally plus lots of useful medical advice given for our holiday.
Andy Boothroyd
5 out of 5 stars
Offered me a blood pressure check which I happily accepted. Attended on the same day. Asked if it were possible to pay for a flu jab (I’m not eligible yet) and got that at the same time! Excellent!! Very polite and helpful.
Penny Speers
5 out of 5 stars
Professional and conscientious staff. Mehwish did a great job syringing my ears, thanks 😊
Thomas Francos
5 out of 5 stars
I booked the ear syringing service at Midway Pharmacy in Morley through the online booking system. Really friendly and professional service from Sharon. I’m really grateful to be able to hear properly again. The treatment only took a few minutes and Sharon is clearly really well trained at what she does. Thank you again.
Paul Mcgrath
Frequently asked questions
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, email our customer care team or chat with us.
-
-
What are the symptoms of shingles?
The main symptom of shingles is pain, followed by a rash that develops into itchy blisters, similar in appearance to chickenpox. New blisters may appear for up to a week. After a few days, blisters will become yellowish, flatten and dry out. Scabs then form where the blisters were.
These scabs may leave some slight scarring after the infection has gone.
The pain may be a constant, dull or burning sensation, and its intensity can vary from mild to severe. You may have sharp stabbing pains from time to time, and the affected skin area will usually be tender.
It can take up to 4 weeks for the rash to heal, but your skin can be painful for weeks after the rash has gone.
-
How long does the shingles rash last?
It can take up to 4 weeks for the rash to heal, and your skin can be painful for weeks after the rash has gone, but it usually gets better over time.
-
How do I get the shingles vaccine?
Once you become eligible for shingles vaccination, a GP or practice nurse will offer you the vaccine when you attend the surgery for general reasons. If you do not qualify for the shingles vaccine on the NHS and want it, contact your local Midway Pharmacy.
-
How long will the shingles vaccine protect me?
It isn't easy to be precise, but research suggests the shingles vaccine will protect you for at least five years, probably longer.
-
How safe is the shingles vaccine?
There is a lot of evidence showing that the shingles vaccine is very safe. It has already been used in several countries, including the US and Canada, and no safety concerns have been raised. The vaccine also has few side effects.
-
-
-
How is shingles spread?
You do not "catch" shingles – it comes on when there's a chickenpox virus reawakening in your body. The virus can be reactivated because of various issues, including advancing age, medicine, illness or stress.
Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. It's estimated that around 1 in 5 people who have had chickenpox go on to develop shingles.
-
Who is most at risk of shingles?
People get shingles more often as they get older, especially over 70. And the older you are, the worse it can be.
-
Are the shingles rash painful?
The shingles rash can be excruciating, so sufferers cannot even bear the feeling of their clothes touching the affected skin. The pain of shingles can also linger long after the rash has disappeared, even for many years. This lingering pain is called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).
-
How does the shingles vaccine work?
The shingles vaccine is a live vaccine, which means it contains a weakened version of the virus that causes shingles. It helps your immune system develop immunity to the virus, reducing your risk of future symptoms.
-
-
-
Can you still have the shingle vaccine if you have had shingles or been exposed?
Yes, you can still have the shingles vaccine if you’ve had shingles. However, it would be best to wait until your symptoms have stopped before you are considered for the shingles vaccine.
However, suppose you are immunocompromised (i.e. have a weakened immune system) and have had a single episode of shingles in the last 12 months. In that case, you should delay your vaccination until 12 months after infection.
-
Why are there two types of shingles vaccine?
There are two shingles vaccines used in the UK:
a live vaccine is given in 1 dose
a non-live vaccine given in two doses, two months apart
Most people will have the live vaccine. However, the non-live vaccine is recommended if the live vaccine is not suitable for you, for example, if you have a condition that affects your immune system.
-
Where is this service available?
This service is available in our branches, which are commutable from anywhere in Yorkshire, including Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, York, Huddersfield, Sheffield, Barnsley, Hull, Doncaster, Ripon, Harrogate, Dewsbury, Keighley and Scarborough.
-
Are next-day appointments available?
Yes, you can get next-day appointments at all our branches. Contact our customer care team if you cannot find an available slot.
-