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Indicator

The percentage of patients who reached 75 years old in the preceding 12 months, who have received a shingles vaccine between the ages of 70 and 75 years.

Indicator type

General practice indicator suitable for use in the Quality and Outcomes Framework.

This document does not represent formal NICE guidance. For a full list of NICE indicators, see our menu of indicators.

To find out how to use indicators and how we develop them, see our NICE indicator process guide.

Rationale

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of a latent varicella zoster virus infection. Incidence and severity of disease are associated with increasing age. The routine immunisation schedule states that the shingles vaccine is due at 70 years old (see Public Health England's Complete routine immunisation schedule 2020). Patients remain eligible for the vaccination until their 80th birthday.

The indicator supports vaccination against shingles for patients 70 years old and over. The measurement between 70 and 75 years old aims to encourage vaccination to prevent against the disease and its complications from an earlier age. The effectiveness of the shingles vaccine decreases with increasing age so earlier vaccination ensures optimal protection against shingles.

Specification

Numerator: The number in the denominator who have received a dose of the shingles vaccine between 70 and 75 years old.

Denominator: The number of patients who reached 75 years old in the preceding 12 months.

Calculation: Numerator divided by the denominator, multiplied by 100.

Exclusions:

  • Patients with a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or any component of the vaccine.

  • Patients who are immunocompromised.

Minimum population: The indicator would be appropriate to assess performance at individual general practice level.

ISBN: 978-1-4731-5936-5