Changes to the Shingles (zoster) vaccination program
From 1 November 2023, Shingrix®, a new recombinant zoster vaccine will replace ‘Zostavax®’ on the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
Shingrix® is a non-live vaccine and is highly effective in the prevention of herpes zoster and its complications, including post-herpetic neuralgia, in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised people. Shingrix® is funded as a 2-dose course for eligible people.
Eligibility:
The recommendation for zoster vaccination has changed. A 2-dose course of Shingrix® is free for: o
- Adults aged 65 years and over
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 50 years and over
- Immunocompromised adults aged 18 years and over with the following medical risk conditions: haemopoietic stem cell transplant
- solid organ transplant
- haematological malignancy
- advanced or untreated HIV
Eligible people who have received one Shingrix® dose privately can receive their second dose free under the NIP provided they are 65 years of age and over. There is currently no recommendation for booster doses of Shingrix® vaccine.
If a patient has previously received Zostavax®, they cannot receive Shingrix® for free under the NIP until at least 5 years after the Zostavax® dose. The person will still need to complete the 2-dose schedule of Shingrix