The council has launched a drive to get people in their 70s to receive the free shingles immunisation.

The vaccination has been designed to prevent the chance of getting the often painful and occasionally fatal condition.

Thurrock Council’s public health team is reminding people in their early or late 70s they are eligible.

Ian Wake, Thurrock’s Director of Public Health said on Tuesday (1 September): “I know thinking about having a vaccination is not nice, but it is undoubtedly better than getting shingles.

“Even the small number of people who are unlucky enough to get it despite being immunised tend to get less severe symptoms.”

Since 2013, the vaccine has been available for people aged 70 and 78 – and those who were in the age group but did not have the vaccination can still have it until their 80th birthday.

This means anybody aged 70 to 72, or 78 to 79 today (September 1) is eligible for immunisation until August 31, next year.

Mr Wake added: “Shingles can be painful and uncomfortable and some are left with pain for years - it can even be fatal for 1 in 1,000 cases in people over 70.”

For more information, visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/456208/PHE_shingles_table_general_public_poster_03_web.pdf or contact your GP