Shield Yourself from Shingles

Shingles (also called herpes zoster) is the disease caused when the chickenpox virus reactivates. Shingles can cause severe pain that can last for months.

Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect yourself from serious disease caused by shingles.

Who should get vaccinated against shingles?

Free shingles vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) is available for eligible people most at risk of complications from shingles.

A 2-dose course of Shingrix is available for free for:

• people aged 65 years and over

• First Nations people aged 50 years and over

• immunocompromised people aged 18 years and over with the following medical conditions:

  • haematopoietic stem cell transplant

  • solid organ transplant

  • haematological malignancy

  • advanced or untreated HIV.

If you previously received a free Zostavax shingles vaccine under the NIP, you are not eligible for a free Shingrix vaccine for at least 5 years.  

If you purchased the Zostavax vaccine privately, you can receive Shingrix for free under the program if you’re eligible.

You should wait at least 12 months between receiving Zostavax and getting the Shingrix vaccine.