Shingles Vaccine Now Free For 29,000 People In Macquarie

In little more than a week, 29,000 older Australians living in Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains will have free access to the best protection against shingles through one of the most comprehensive and widely available vaccination programs in the world.

An investment of $826.8 million will provide almost five million people at risk of severe disease from shingles with a free Shingrix® vaccine under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

This includes everyone aged 65 years and over, First Nations people 50 years and over, and immunocompromised people 18 years and over at high risk of herpes zoster infection.

Shingrix® provides around 10 years of protection and usually costs up to $560 – for almost 5 million people and more than 29,000 in Macquarie that will now be free.

Shingles are caused by the reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox and presents as a painful blistering rash on one side of the face or body that lasts 10-15 days.

One in five people with shingles will develop severe nerve pain known as post-herpetic neuralgia that can last months or even years.

In some cases, it may be permanent.

The risk of developing shingles increases with age and people aged 65 years and over are at the highest risk of complications like post-herpetic neuralgia.

Shingrix® will replace Zostavax® on the NIP from 1 November 2023, following advice from the independent medicines experts at the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman said the vaccination was the best protection against shingles, and she was pleased that older Australians in Macquarie would be able to access it free of charge.

“Free access to the latest shingles vaccine means people in Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury now have protection from a painful condition and peace of mind,” Ms Templeman said.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler said without a vaccination, almost one in three Australians would get shingles in their lifetime.

“Shingles can be severe, so it’s really important that eligible people talk to their GP or pharmacist about getting the shingles vaccine,” Mr Butler said.

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