PENSIONERS across Oxfordshire are being urged to protect themselves against shingles with a free vaccine.

Practices in the county are offering residents in their 70s the vaccination as part of the NHS shingles immunisation campaign for 2017/18.

By the end of June only half of all eligible patients in the county had been vaccinated against shingles and the NHS is encouraging everyone who is offered to take it up.

Public health screening and immunisation lead for NHS England South Central Paula Jackson said: “As people get older their immune system naturally weakens which is why those people aged 70 and over are more likely to get shingles.

“Shingles can be very painful and lead to health problems long after the initial rash has disappeared.

“I would encourage all patients who are eligible to take up the free offer from their GP surgery and get vaccinated against the virus.”

Shingles is a itchy, burning group of blisters caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus.

The rash commonly affects one area of the body, often the chest, and can last up to four weeks.

But for some patients, pain can persist for several months or even years after the rash has disappeared.

The shingles vaccine is offered to residents over the age of 70 and then 78.

Patients who were eligible for immunisation in the first three years of the programme, which began in September 2013, but have not yet been vaccinated are also able to get the free vaccine until their 80th birthday.

Eligible residents can contact their GP surgery to book a vaccination.

The NHS is encouraging people over 70 to stay healthy and avoid becoming ill during the winter months.

For more information visit: nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/shingles-vaccination.aspx