Shingles vaccine - Available to 65 yr olds or those 70 plus, not those 66-69

[RamblinRosie]

DH is eligible because he’s just turned 70, friends are eligible when they turn 65. I’m 67, so not eligible for 2 + years. (Of course I could pay £440 for the course).
AIBU to think this is ludicrous?

It’s because it’s being phased in for the 65+ age range. There simply wouldn’t be enough vaccine to suddenly do everyone age 65-70 right this minute.

Yes, true. Annoying and because of shortage. My parents need to wait a few more weeks. Stupid way to introduce really. Should have gradually gone backwards in catch up programme.

I still don't understand why they start with 65 and not backwards from 70? 69, then 68 etc

Should explain, my parents are 69. What a weird way to introduce it that their younger friends get it, but they can't. I'd expect the catch up.programme to start at 70 and work backwards to 69 etc.

Yep, it seems stupid to me. Perhaps there's some sort of reasoning for going up from 65 and not backwards from 70 e.g. those age 65 providing more childcare and exposure to chicken pox vaccine being introduced could reactivate shingles? But I don't think shingles/ chicken pox works like that. I suspect it just hasn't been thought through.