One in three people will get shingles in their lifetime. Now there’s a free vaccine
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Almost five million older and immunocompromised Australians will be able to access a free vaccine to prevent shingles from next month, costing the federal government more than $800 million over the next four years.
Health Minister Mark Butler will on Sunday announce that the free Shingrix vaccine will be made available from November 1 under the National Immunisation Program to Australians aged 65 years and older, First Nations people aged over 50 and immunocompromised people over 18.
The Shingrix vaccine will be free for older and immunocompromised adults from November 1.
Shingles is a painful, blistering rash caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. The rash typically appears on one side of the face or body and can last for as long as 15 days.
The Shingrix vaccine will replace the Zostavax, which is currently free only for adults aged 70, with a catch-up program for those aged 71-79.
Butler said that without vaccination, about one in three Australians would get shingles in their lifetime. The new program would be one of the most comprehensive and widely available in the world.
“This investment will ensure nearly five million Australians can get free protection from shingles and the very painful nerve damage that it causes,” Butler said.
“Shingles can be severe, so it’s really important that eligible people talk to their GP or pharmacist about getting the shingles vaccine.”
The two-course shot of Shingrix is currently only available privately for those over 50 years old, and costs up to $560. It provides 10 years of protection.
The government will spend $826.8 million over four years to make it available under the National Immunisation Program, in line with advice from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.
University of Sydney Infectious diseases expert Professor Robert Booy said shingles was a serious medical condition that in some people could cause long-term pain.
“Shingles is a viral infection that especially affects the skin of the trunk or of the face. It actually happens because you’ve previously had chickenpox and then the virus hides for years in your nervous system,” Booy said.
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