Shingles Information

Shingles (also known as herpes zoster) is the disease caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox (varicella) virus in people with a prior history of chickenpox. 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. The vaccine does not contain the live virus and is safe for people with immunocompromise.
Shingles vaccination is a 2-dose course, given 2 to 6 months apart in healthy people, or 1 to 2 months apart in people who are immunocompromised.

Who is recommended to receive a Shingles vaccination?

⦁ People aged 50 years and over
⦁ People aged 18 years and over who are immunocompromised
⦁ People aged 50 years and over who live in the same household as someone who has a weakened immune system

Who is eligible for a free Shingles vaccination?

The Australian Government’s National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides two free Shingles vaccines to the following eligible people:

⦁ People aged 65 years and over
⦁ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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.

Please note, NIP vaccines can be limited, and not all pharmacies or pharmacist immunisers will have access to these free vaccines at the time of your appointment.
If you believe you may be eligible for a free vaccine, it is recommended that you speak with your pharmacist prior to making your appointment to confirm availability of the free vaccine.

If you do not meet the NIP eligibility, or the pharmacy does not have the free vaccines available at the pharmacy, they will discuss your options with you.

For more information on the Shingles virus and vaccination please click here

We may disclose your personal information to third parties for a purpose directly related to your vaccine administration. This includes (but is not limited to) disclosure of your personal information to the Australian Immunisation Register, Medicare, Pharmacy Programs Administrator, medical personnel who are the service providers of the immunisation, other third parties as required by law. We may additionally use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy.
General information only. This information does not replace the information provided by your healthcare professional. Information current as at date of publishing. Report any errors to orders@atarapharmacy.com.au