Shingles vaccination: how countries compare
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General information only. Not medical advice and not a substitute for a doctor.
Elsewhere, call your local emergency number.
Each country bases its guidelines on its own evidence reviews and health system. Age Flags lists them side by side and does not judge between them.
United States
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) Shingles vaccination |
age 19 and over; Has an immunocompromising condition (including HIV) | Two doses, given 2 to 6 months apart. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Adult Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule Shingles Vaccine Recommendations (for healthcare providers) Adult Immunization Schedule by Age (Table 1) |
|
| Recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) Shingles vaccination |
age 50 and over | Two doses, given 2 to 6 months apart. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Adult Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule MyHealthfinder: Get Vaccines to Protect Your Health (Adults Age 50 Years or Older) Shingles Vaccine Recommendations (for healthcare providers) |
England, UK
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) Shingles vaccination |
age 18 and over; Severely weakened immune system (as defined in the UK Green Book) | Two doses, given 8 weeks to 6 months apart. | UK Health Security Agency · Shingles immunisation programme · National programme Shingles vaccine |
|
| Recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) Shingles vaccination |
from age 65 until your 80th birthday; born on or after | Two doses, given 6 to 12 months apart. | UK Health Security Agency · Shingles immunisation programme · National programme Shingles vaccine Complete routine immunisation schedule from 1 September 2026 |
|
| Recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) Shingles vaccination |
ages 70 to 79 | Two doses, given 6 to 12 months apart. | UK Health Security Agency · Shingles immunisation programme · National programme Shingles vaccine Complete routine immunisation schedule from 1 September 2026 |
China
No national guideline item on this topic could be verified automatically for this country.
Japan
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shingles vaccine (live or recombinant) Shingles vaccination |
from age 60 until your 65th birthday; HIV-related immune disability that makes daily life almost impossible (as defined by MHLW ordinance) | Either one dose of the live vaccine or two doses of the recombinant vaccine. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） 帯状疱疹ワクチン（厚生労働省） |
|
| Shingles vaccine (live or recombinant) Shingles vaccination |
the fiscal year you turn 65; Also, until : people turning 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100 | Either one dose of the live vaccine or two doses of the recombinant vaccine. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） 帯状疱疹ワクチン（厚生労働省） |
Spain
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shingles vaccine Shingles vaccination |
age 65 | Two doses at least 8 weeks apart. Regions may also progressively offer it to people aged 66 to 80, starting with those turning 80. | Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (Spain) · Calendario común de vacunación e inmunización a lo largo de toda la vida. Calendario recomendado año 2026 · National programme Vacunas y Programa de Vacunación — Herpes zóster (Ministerio de Sanidad, ciudadanía) |
Brazil
No national guideline item on this topic could be verified automatically for this country.
Emergency and crisis lines
United States
Emergency 911 Emergency services (United States) · Source
Crisis line 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (United States) · Available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. · Source
United Kingdom
Emergency 999 NHS England · Source
Health advice 111 NHS England · Source
Crisis line 116 123 Samaritans · Open 24 hours a day. · Source
China
Emergency 120 National Health Commission (China) · Source
Crisis line 12356 National Health Commission (China) · Each line provides at least 18 hours of service a day under the national notice; hours vary by city. · Source
Japan
Emergency 119 Fire and Disaster Management Agency (Japan) · Source
Crisis line 0120‑061‑338 #いのちSOS (Lifelink) · Open 24 hours a day, every day (free call). · Source
Crisis line 0120‑279‑338 Yorisoi Hotline · Open 24 hours a day (free call). · Source
Spain
Emergency 112 Emergency services (Spain) · Source
Crisis line 024 Ministerio de Sanidad (Spain) · Free and confidential, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. · Source
Brazil
Emergency 192 Ministério da Saúde (Brazil) · Source
Crisis line 188 CVV — Centro de Valorização da Vida · Free, 24 hours a day, anywhere in Brazil. · Source
Elsewhere, call your local emergency number.