Free shingles vaccine access is being extended by the Federal Government to people aged over 18 years who are immunocompromised.
A Federal Government statement says it is investing $57.7 million over four years to expand the Shingrix program, which has been available on the National Immunisation Program since November 1, 2023.
About 215,000 patients are expected to benefit from this move.
Free shingles vaccination is already available 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.
According to the Ministry for Health, 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 2–3 weeks, shingles can lead to nerve pain that can last for months.
Federal Health Minister Butler says “making the shingles vaccine free for more Australians is not just good their hip pocket, it’s also good for their health”.
“Without vaccination, almost 1 in 3 Australians will get shingles in their lifetime,” he says.
“Over 1.3 million Australians have received a free shingles vaccine since the Albanese Government commenced the new Shingles Program on November 1, 2023.”
He says that not listing it on the NIP would cost younger, immunocompromised patients up to $560 for a vaccine.
Hawthorn-based GP Dr Johanna Kilmartin welcomed the news, saying it is “about time”.
“I think that a lot of our immunocompromised patients have been asking to see whether or not they were eligible to receive this vaccine against a preventable disease, really, as much as we can prevent it.”
She says this particular Shingrix vaccine is highly effective over two doses, conferring over 90 per cent immunity for 10 or more years.
Mr Butler says the vaccine can be administered in a pharmacy depending on talks between the patient and their doctor.
