Leslie Massey
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful blistering rash due to the reactivation of the chickenpox virus. In Australia, the government has committed to providing free access to the Shingrix® vaccine for nearly 5 million people who are at risk of severe disease from shingles. This includes older Australians, First Nations people, and those with weakened immune systems. The free vaccination program has been expanded to include more people over 18 who are immunocompromised due to underlying health conditions or treatments. This initiative aims to protect at-risk Australians from the debilitating effects of shingles, including potential long-lasting nerve pain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shingles vaccine free for | Almost 5 million Australians |
| Vaccine name | Shingrix |
| Availability | One of the most comprehensive and widely available vaccination programs in the world |
| Age eligibility | People aged 65 and older, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and older, and people 18 years and over with severely weakened immune systems at high risk of herpes zoster infection |
| Government investment | $826.8 million |
| Underlying conditions | People with underlying health conditions, including autoimmune conditions |
| Side effects | Most reactions are mild and last no more than a couple of days |
| Symptoms | Painful blistering rash, nerve pain that can last for months |
| Vaccine schedule | 2-dose schedule |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility for the free shingles vaccine in Australia
The Australian government has expanded its eligibility criteria for the free shingles vaccination program, making it accessible to a wider range of individuals at risk of developing this painful condition. Shingles is a viral infection characterised by a blistering rash and nerve pain that can last for months or even become permanent. The expansion of the program is a welcome development, protecting more at-risk Australians from the debilitating effects of the virus.
Previously, the shingles vaccine was funded for specific groups, but many individuals with weakened immune systems were unable to receive it. Now, the vaccine is available for free to people aged 65 and older, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and older, and high-risk immunocompromised adults aged 18 and over with severely weakened immune systems. This expansion in eligibility means that more Australians can protect themselves from shingles without incurring financial costs.
The eligibility criteria for the free shingles vaccine in Australia now include:
- People aged 65 years and over, who are at the highest risk of developing shingles and its complications, such as post-herpetic neuralgia.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and older.
- Immunocompromised individuals aged 18 and over with severely weakened immune systems due to underlying health conditions or treatments. This includes people on advanced treatments for autoimmune conditions.
The Australian government is investing a significant amount, approximately $826.8 million, to provide the Shingrix® vaccine to nearly five million people at risk of severe disease from shingles. This expansion of the vaccination program demonstrates the government's commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its citizens, ensuring that more Australians can access this vital protection against shingles without financial barriers.
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The Australian government's investment in the shingles vaccine
The Australian government has demonstrated its commitment to protecting its citizens from the debilitating effects of shingles by investing significantly in the shingles vaccine. This investment is a crucial step in ensuring that Australians, especially those at high risk, have access to this potentially life-saving vaccine.
Previously, the shingles vaccine was only available for free to specific groups, including older Australians aged 65 and above, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and older, and high-risk immunocompromised adults with certain medical conditions. However, the government recognised the need to expand access to this vital vaccine. As a result, it committed $826.8 million to provide the Shingrix® vaccine to nearly five million people at risk of severe disease from shingles. This expansion ensures that more Australians can benefit from the vaccine's protection.
The expanded eligibility criteria now include people aged 18 and over who are at increased risk of herpes zoster (shingles) due to underlying health conditions or immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive treatments. This change is especially significant for those with weakened immune systems, who were previously unable to receive the vaccine due to funding restrictions. By addressing this gap, the government is ensuring that no one is left vulnerable to the severe health consequences of shingles.
The availability of the free shingles vaccine under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) is a significant step forward in Australia's healthcare landscape. It showcases the government's proactive approach to disease prevention and its commitment to making essential healthcare accessible to all. As the program continues to evolve, it is expected that even more Australians will benefit from the protection offered by the shingles vaccine.
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Shingles symptoms and treatment
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. While anyone who has had chickenpox may develop shingles, the risk is higher in older adults and those with weakened immune systems. The virus remains inactive in the nervous system for years after a chickenpox infection, sometimes reactivating and travelling along nerve pathways to the skin, causing shingles.
The symptoms of shingles typically last 2-3 weeks, but can persist for up to 6 weeks. The earliest symptoms include fatigue, sensitivity to light, stomach upset, and an itching, tingling, or burning sensation on the skin. After a few days, a rash will develop in a band or patch, usually on one side of the body, often the torso or face. The rash consists of painful red bumps that develop into fluid-filled blisters, which then burst and scab over. The blisters usually dry out and crust over within 10 days, with the scabs clearing up after about 2-3 weeks.
While there is no cure for shingles, early treatment with prescription antiviral drugs such as Acyclovir (Zovirax®) can speed up healing and lower the risk of complications. These medications are most effective when started within 72 hours of the first sign of shingles. An implantable nerve stimulator device may be recommended for severe, ongoing pain that has not responded to other treatments.
The Australian government has committed to providing nearly 5 million people at risk of severe disease from shingles with a free Shingrix® vaccine under the National Immunisation Program. This includes individuals aged 65 and older, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and older, and immunocompromised individuals aged 18 and older with severely weakened immune systems.
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The shingles vaccine and its effectiveness
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful blistering rash as a result of the reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox. It is estimated that one in three people will develop shingles at some point in their lifetime. While most symptoms typically last two to three weeks, shingles can lead to nerve pain that can last for months or even years, and in some cases, this pain may become permanent.
The Australian government has committed $826.8 million to provide a free shingles vaccine called Shingrix® to nearly five million people who are at risk of developing severe disease from shingles. This includes people aged 65 and over, First Nations people aged 50 and over, and immunocompromised people aged 18 and over who are at high risk of herpes zoster infection.
Shingrix® is a recombinant zoster (shingles) vaccine that is given as a two-dose series. It is not a live vaccine, as it uses only a small part of the virus that cannot infect anyone. It is safe and highly effective at preventing shingles and its most common complication, postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). In clinical trials, Shingrix was not associated with any serious adverse events. In adults 50 to 69 years old with healthy immune systems, the vaccine was 97% effective in preventing shingles, and in adults 70 and older, it was 91% effective. For adults with weakened immune systems, the vaccine was between 68% and 91% effective, depending on their specific condition.
The vaccine causes a strong immune response, which may result in temporary side effects such as pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, as well as fatigue, muscle pain, headache, shivering, fever, stomach pain, or nausea. However, these side effects typically last only two to three days and are milder than the pain and complications associated with shingles.
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The cost of the shingles vaccine in Australia without government funding
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful blistering rash as a result of the reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox. It is estimated that without vaccination, about one in three Australians will get shingles in their lifetime. The Australian government has been working to expand eligibility for the free shingles vaccination program, which is good for people's health and their finances.
Previously, the shingles vaccine was only subsidised by the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for a limited group of people. Those who did not meet the specific criteria had to pay up to $560 to be vaccinated. The two-dose shingles vaccine (Shingrex) is now available for free for people aged 65 and older, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and older, and high-risk immunocompromised adults with certain medical conditions.
The Australian government is investing $826.8 million to provide almost 5 million people who are at risk of severe disease from shingles with a free Shingrix vaccine. This expansion of the vaccination program is expected to protect nearly 5 million Australians from the debilitating virus and the painful nerve damage that shingles can cause.
From 1 November 2023, Shingrix replaced Zostavax on the NIP, following advice from the independent medicines experts at the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). This change ensures that more people have access to the best protection against shingles through one of the most comprehensive and widely available vaccination programs in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the shingles vaccine is free for eligible Australians.
The free shingles vaccine is available to:
- People aged 65 and older
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and older
- People 18 years and over with severely weakened immune systems at high risk of herpes zoster infection
- People at moderate to high risk of severe infection and complications from shingles
The Australian government committed to providing the shingles vaccine for free starting November 1, 2023.
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful blistering rash as a result of the reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox. While most symptoms typically last two to three weeks, shingles can lead to nerve pain that can last for months or even years.
You can talk to your doctor or immunisation provider about your eligibility for the shingles vaccine and how to get it.
