Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Health clarified that the age group of 18 years and over can receive the Shingles vaccine, provided that they fulfill 3 conditions.

The ministry released the clarification through one of its official Twitter accounts (@SaudiMOH937), which helps in providing emergency and regular health services and answering people's questions.

While answering a person's inquiry regarding whether the dose is only for the elderly, the ministry said that people aged 18 and over can take the vaccine if they have an immune disease or autoimmune disease.

Additionally, the vaccine is advisable in the event that a person of the age group of 18 years or older uses immunosuppressive drugs. The ministry said that they must consult their attending physician to determine the appropriateness of the vaccine for their health condition.

The ministry said that in accordance with the current recommendations, the age category of 50 and above will be receiving two doses of the shingles vaccine at an interval of 6 months, whether they were previously infected or not.

It has noted that the vaccine helps in protecting the adults from getting infected with shingles, in addition to preventing complications from the infection.

It is noteworthy that the ministry had announced in September of the current year the availability of vaccines for shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster, in all primary health care centers in the country.