From 1 November 2023, the shingles vaccination schedule under the National Immunisation Program will change.
The Department of Health and Aged Care advises from 1 November 2023, the shingles vaccine Shingrix will replace Zostavax on the National Immunisation Program schedule for the prevention of shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia. It will be available for eligible people most at risk of complications from shingles.
A 2-dose course of Shingrix will be available for free for:
- people aged 65 years and older
- First Nations people aged 50 years and older
- immunocompromised people aged 18 years and older with medical conditions including:
- haemopoietic stem cell transplant
- solid organ transplant
- haematological malignancy
- advanced or untreated HIV.
Unlike Zostavax, Shingrix does not contain any live virus so it can be given to people aged 18 years and over who are immunocompromised.
The program changes follow recommendations from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation and other clinical experts.
Further information is available on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
To speak with our team about the changes to shingles vaccination or to book an appointment, please contact your local Partnered Health Medical Centre.
Source: Australian Medical Association (2023) https://www.ama.com.au/ama-rounds/13-october-2023/articles/national-immunisation-program-changes-shingles-vaccination-1
