Vaccination against shingles with Zostavax® is free under the National Immunisation Program for people aged 70.
There is also a catch-up program for people aged 71-79 years old. Originally offered for five years until the end of October 2021, this has been extended to 31 October 2023.
If you missed out or delayed vaccination for shingles due to the pandemic, lockdowns or other reasons, you now have plenty of time to get vaccinated.
Talk to your doctor or other immunisation provider about whether the Zostavax® vaccine is appropriate for you.
About Shingles
Shingles is a painful blistering rash caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus. Shingles can be serious. It can cause severe nerve pain that can last for months. Without vaccination, about 1 in 3 people will get shingles in their lifetime.
As people get older, they are at greater risk of experiencing more severe and long-lasting pain associated with the shingles infection, so prevention with vaccination is always a better option than treatment.
