DUDLEY residents aged 70, 78 and 79, are being encouraged to protect themselves against shingles with a free vaccine.

The shingles vaccine is being offered at GP surgeries across the borough and, unlike a flu jab, people only need to have it once.

Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the reactivation of the same virus that causes chicken pox in children.

While it can affect all age groups, it tends to affect people more as they get older, especially over the age of 70.

Some are left with pain lasting for years after the initial rash has healed, and it can be fatal for around 1 in 1,000 people over the age of 70 who develop it.

Councillor Rachel Harris, Dudley Council's cabinet member for health, said: “For most people, shingles can be a mild infection with good recovery, but for others it can be very painful and uncomfortable.

“The vaccine reduces the risk of getting the illness, but for those who do get it, their symptoms may be milder and the illness shorter than if they weren’t protected."

Cllr Harris encouraged anyone of the appropriate age who hasn't already received the vaccination to make an appointment at their GP surgery.