Supporting the Patient Vaccination Journey

1. Raise Awareness of the Shingles National Immunisation Programme (NIP) in your practice

Help raise awareness of the Shingles NIP in your practice by:

• Sharing leaflets, posters and other resources with your patients in your practice waiting room and communal areas.
• Including the information on your practice website – examples of assets which are free to order can be found on the UK government website¹
• Being confident with the programme and its eligiblity criteria, to have informative and supportive discussions with eligible patients. Reach out to a member of GSK's adult immunisation representative team for support.

2. Invite eligible patients for their first dose

Proactive call and recall system in combination with an appointment system (e.g. booking on Accurx), will help:

• Manage patient flow
• Reduce patient enquiries regarding eligibility and booking appointments
• Maximise appointment capacity

Invite all eligible patients for an appointment through their preferred method of communication if known e.g. SMS, phone, letters

• Always use a combined approach if a patient does not respond
• Regularly check that the preferred method of communication recorded for your patient is correct and up to date

Below are sample text and letter communications, which can be sent to patients let them know they are eligible for the first dose of their shingles vaccination.

“Dear [Patient’s Name],

You are now eligible for your first dose of the free NHS shingles vaccination.

Shingles is a painful condition, caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox⁵, that can disrupt daily life for weeks. In the UK, there is an estimated 1 in 4 lifetime risk of developing shingles^3.

The shingles vaccination is made up of two doses. It is important you receive both doses for optimal protection from shingles.

Please contact us to book your first dose of your shingles vaccination.

Best Regards,

[Healthcare Provider Name]
[Practice Phone Number]”

“Dear [Patient’s Name],

You are now eligible for your first dose of the free NHS shingles vaccination.

Shingles is a painful condition, caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox⁵, that can disrupt daily life for weeks. In the UK, there is an estimated 1 in 4 lifetime risk of developing shingles³.

The shingles vaccination is made up of two doses. It is important you receive both doses for optimal protection from shingles.

Please book your first dose of your shingles vaccination using the link [insert clinic appointment booking link] or contact the practice at [Practice Phone Number].

Best Regards,

[Healthcare Provider Name]
[Clinic Phone Number]”

3. Administer first dose of SHINGRIX

SHINGRIX Patient Information Leaflet

Order here

Shingles Vaccination; Patient Guidance & FAQs

Coming Soon...

When inviting patients to receive shingles vaccination, as well as when they arrive for their appointment, proactively let patients know you are open to answer any queries they may have and reassure patients you will source answers for them.

• To help answer your patient's queries, please refer to our FAQ leaflet for healthcare professionals.
  • This helps to answer your patients most frequently asked questions which can be ordered off the GSKpro SHINGRIX website or the digital version can be downloaded below.
• The shingles vaccination is made up of two doses, and it is important to ensure your patients receive both doses to complete their shingles vaccination. Support patients by providing a patient information leaflet and/or vaccination record card.
  • The SHINGRIX patient leaflet explains what is expected regarding their first dose of shingles vaccination, what to do if side effects are experienced and the importance of returning for their second dose in order to complete the vaccination course.

4. Invite eligible patients for their second dose of shingles vaccination

Shingles Vaccination Digital Second Dose Reminder: QR code tent card

Order here

SHINGRIX Vaccination Record and Appointment Reminder Card

Order here

Two doses of the shingles vaccination are needed to maximise the protection it offers your patients against shingles.

When inviting patients for their second dose, ensure that you share the importance of the second dose and highlight that full course completion is required for optimal protection.

To aid you in supporting your patients receiving both doses of the shingles vaccination, there are multiple tools created and funded by GSK available.

• Digital Second Dose Reminder QR code
  • A QR code that can be scanned by a patient’s phone using their camera, once they have had their first dose, which leads them to a GSK pop-up to consent to place a calendar reminder at 6 months to book in for their second dose of the shingles vaccine.
• Vaccination Record Card
  • A card to be given to patients once they have received their first dose to remind your patients of their next appointment and to record their vaccination status.
  • On both the leaflet and the record card you will be able to add the date of your patient’s second dose. The patient may need to add this at a later date after booking with the GP practice.

Below are sample text and letter communications, which can be sent to patients let them know they are eligible for the first dose of their shingles vaccination.

“Dear [Patient’s Name],

It’s time to book your second dose of the free NHS shingles vaccination.

Two doses of the shingles vaccine are needed to maximise the protection it offers against shingles. For optimal protection from shingles, please ensure you receive your second dose.

Shingles is a painful condition, caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox⁵, that can disrupt daily life for weeks. In the UK, there is an estimated 1 in 4 lifetime risk of developing shingles³.

Please contact us to book your second dose of your shingles vaccination.

Best Regards,

[Healthcare Provider Name]
[Practice Phone Number]”

“Dear [Patient’s Name],

It’s time to book your second dose of the free NHS shingles vaccination.

Two doses of the shingles vaccine are needed to maximise the protection it offers against shingles. For optimal protection from shingles, please ensure you receive your second dose.

Shingles is a painful condition, caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox⁵, that can disrupt daily life for weeks. In the UK, there is an estimated 1 in 4 lifetime risk of developing shingles^3.

Please book your second dose of your shingles vaccination using the link [insert clinic appointment booking link] or contact the practice at [Practice Phone Number].

Best Regards,

[Healthcare Provider Name]
[Clinic Phone Number]”

5. Administer second dose of SHINGRIX

SHINGRIX Vaccination Record and Appointment Reminder Card

Order here

Shingles Vaccination; Patient Guidance & FAQs

Coming Soon...

When patients arrive for their second appointment, reassure them of the importance of second dose and that full course completion will provide them maximum protection against shingles⁵

• Refer to the FAQ sheet for healthcare professionals if patients have any key questions around shingles vaccination or the national immunisation programme

Celebrate with marking the patient’s vaccination record card complete.