Image: Shingles infection in an eye.
What is Shingles?
Shingles is a painful blistering rash caused by reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox. While most symptoms last up to 3 weeks, shingles can be serious. It can lead to long-term nerve pain that can last for months (post-herpetic neuralgia) and other serious complications, including pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness and swelling of the brain.
About 1 in 3 people will get shingles in their lifetime. Shingles usually affects older people, and the risk of complications increases with age, particularly for those over the age of 70. People who are immunocompromised are at higher risk of shingles and severe complications.
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect you from serious disease caused by shingles.
What has changed?
From 1 November 2023, the shingles vaccine Shingrix® will replace Zostavax® on the National Immunisation Program for eligible people most at risk of complications from shingles.
The NIP funded 2-dose course of Shingrix® will be available for -
- people aged 65 years (recently changed from the previous 70 years of age)
- First Nations people aged 50 years or older
- immunocompromised people aged 18 years or older with certain medical risk conditions.
The Shingrix® vaccine has shown to be safe and effective at preventing shingles and severe disease from complications.
Although the Shingrix® vaccine may be free, there may be a consultation fee or administration cost to have the vaccine.
The Zostavax® shingles vaccine and catch-up program for people aged 71-79 years will end on 31 October 2023. There will be no catch-up program on the NIP from 1 November 2023.
Speak to your local General Practitioner or immunisation provider for further information.
More information
Reviewed 17 October 2023