Changes to the shingles vaccine available under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) came into effect from 1 November 2023. The shingles vaccine Shingrix has replaced Zostavax on the NIP.

A 2-dose course of Shingrix will be available free for:

• People aged 65 years and older
• First Nations people aged 50 years and older
• Immunocompromised people aged 18 years and older with the following medical conditions:
  • Haemopoietic stem cell transplant
  • Solid organ transplant
  • Haematological malignancy
  • Advanced or untreated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Unlike Zostavax, Shingrix does not contain any live virus so it can be given to people aged 18 years and older who are immunocompromised.

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

Further information is available from The Australian Immunisation Handbook – Zoster