Millions of Aussies now eligible for free shingles vaccines
Millions of Australians can get a free vaccination against painful and debilitating shingles.
People classified as “moderate to high risk” between the ages of 18 and 64 are now eligible for the vaccination.
Patients who are now eligible include those with underlying health conditions, such as HIV or stage five kidney disease, or those undergoing certain treatments.
Since November 1 last year, two doses of the vaccine have been free for people aged 65 and over and for Indigenous Australians aged 50 and over, as part of the national immunisation program.
An expansion of the federal government’s initiative means immunocompromised patients under 65 will no longer have to pay $560 for the shot.
“If more Australians could get the free shingles vaccination, it would not only be good for their wallets, it would be good for their health,” said Federal Health Minister Mark Butler.
The new admission requirements are the result of medical experts’ push for change.
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same childhood virus that causes chickenpox.
‘Moderate to high risk’ Australians aged 18 to 64 with underlying health conditions can now get the shingles vaccine for free (stock photo of a young woman being vaccinated)
Shingles is a viral infection caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox. Patients develop a rash of blisters that are painful and can be itchy (stock image)
The viral infection is often painful, with patients left covered in a rash of blisters that usually appear on one side of their body
The rash may also be itchy.
Shingles can also be debilitating, as in addition to the sharp, stabbing pain, patients may also experience post-illness complications.
In most people with shingles, symptoms last two to three weeks.
But they can also suffer from nerve pain for months.
Nearly all adults over the age of 50 carry the inactive virus that can cause shingles, while one in three will develop the viral infection.
People with weakened immune systems are twice as likely to develop the virus.
Paul van Buynder, a professor at Griffith University’s Faculty of Medicine, said the expansion of the group of people eligible for the Shingrix NIP vaccination was good news for Australians with other health conditions. Nine news reported.
The expansion to include younger and immunocompromised patients in the National Immunization Program for the shingles vaccine will help people save up to $560 (stock image of shingles rash on a man’s back)
“Shingles can be a serious condition for adults with severely compromised immune systems,” he said.
‘The shingles vaccine can help minimize the impact of this potentially debilitating disease and its complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia.’
Patients are advised to speak to their GP to check if they are eligible.