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Shingles vaccine australia


6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles (herpes zoster) transmission. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/transmission.html (accessed 08 December 2021 ).


Shingles


Shingles is a viral disease that tends to affect older adults. Shingles is caused by the virus varicella zoster (same virus which causes chickenpox), and is characterised by a painful, itchy rash which generally appears on one side of the face or body.

Painful rash, over sensitivity to light, pins and needles, burning sensation, itching, fatigue.
Cases in Australia
14,950 cases reported in Australia in 2020
Page last updated 26 September 2023

If you have been infected by chickenpox virus before, the virus can continue to live in the nerve cells near your spine but remain inactive. Most adults can live the rest of their lives with the virus present in their bodies and never have any issues. However, it is estimated that for 1 in 3 adults, the virus will become active again, resulting in a case of shingles.


Vaccination is an effective way to prevent shingles.


Speak to your doctor for further information regarding prevention of shingles.


Commonly asked questions

What is shingles?

Shingles (also known as herpes zoster), is a disease caused by the virus varicella zoster, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox – this means that it is impossible to contract shingles if you have never contracted chickenpox or have never been exposed to the varicella zoster virus before. 


After the initial infection (i.e. chickenpox), the virus lays dormant in the nervous system, but can manifest later as shingles.


Sources & Citations


1. Australian Government Department of Health. Shingles (herpes zoster). Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/shingles-herpes-zoster (accessed 08 December 2021 ).


3. National Centre for Immunisation Research & Surveillance. Herpes zoster factsheet. Available at: http://www.ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2018-12/zoster-vaccine-fact-sheet.pdf (accessed 08 December 2021 ).


4. Australian Government Department of Health. The Australian Immunisation Handbook. Zoster (herpes zoster). Available at: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccine-preventable-diseases/zoster-herpes-zoster (accessed 08 December 2021 ).


MAT-AU-2102487 Date of preparation January 2022

Who is at risk of contracting shingles?

Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of getting shingles. Shingles most commonly affects older people, however it can occur at any age, particular in those who have weakened immune systems and/or have already experienced chickenpox earlier in life.


Sources & Citations


1. Australian Government Department of Health. Shingles (herpes zoster). Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/shingles-herpes-zoster (accessed 08 December 2021 ).


MAT-AU-2102487 Date of preparation January 2022

Is shingles contagious?

Shingles cannot be passed from one person to another. However, the virus that causes it can be spread from a person with active shingles to cause chickenpox in someone who has never had chickenpox or has not received the chickenpox vaccine. Shingles is not as contagious as chickenpox, and the risk of spreading the virus is low, so long as the rash blisters are covered up completely.


Sources & Citations


6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles (herpes zoster) transmission. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/transmission.html (accessed 08 December 2021 ).


MAT-AU-2102487 Date of preparation January 2022

What are the symptoms of shingles?

The first signs of shingles are usually pain, itching or tingling in the area where the rash will eventually appear - this usually happens only a few days before. Shingles soon develops as a painful rash, usually on one side of the face or body. The shingles rash develops into itchy blisters that will form scab in around 7 to 10 days, resolving within approximately 3 to 5 weeks.


Some people may experience other symptoms, including fever, headache, upset stomach or chills. Complications can occur as people increase in age.


A condition called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a complication of shingles that can develop. People who develop PHN may experience severe, debilitating pain than can remain even after the rash has resolved.


Sources & Citations


1. Australian Government Department of Health. Shingles (herpes zoster). Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/shingles-herpes-zoster (accessed 08 December 2021 ).


5. National institute on aging. Shingles. Available at: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/shingles (accessed 08 December 2021 ).


MAT-AU-2102487 Date of preparation January 2022

How can shingles be prevented?

In Australia, a vaccination for shingles is provided via the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for adults when they turn 70 years of age. There is currently a catch-up program for adults aged 71-79 years of age.


Talk with your healthcare professional if you have any questions about shingles vaccination.


Sources & Citations


4. Australian Government Department of Health. The Australian Immunisation Handbook. Zoster (herpes zoster). Available at: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccine-preventable-diseases/zoster-herpes-zoster (accessed 08 December 2021 ).


MAT-AU-2102487 Date of preparation January 2022


Sources & Citations


    
  
  1. Australian Government Department of Health. Shingles (herpes zoster). Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/shingles-herpes-zoster (accessed 08 December 2021).
    2. 
  
  2. Jayasinghe S, Sheridan S, Macartney K. Herpes zoster vaccination in Australia: what's available and who benefits? Aust Prescr 2020;43(1):2–6.
    3. 
  
  3. National Centre for Immunisation Research & Surveillance. Herpes zoster factsheet. Available at: http://www.ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2018-12/zoster-vaccine-fact-sheet.pdf (accessed 08 December 2021).
    4. 
  
  4. Australian Government Department of Health. The Australian Immunisation Handbook. Zoster (herpes zoster). Available at: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccine-preventable-diseases/zoster-herpes-zoster (accessed 08 December 2021).
    5. 
  
  5. National institute on aging. Shingles. Available at: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/shingles (accessed 08 December 2021).
    6. 
  
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles (herpes zoster) transmission. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/transmission.html (accessed 08 December 2021).
    7. 



MAT-AU-2102486 - Date of preparation January 2022


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