Protect yourself from 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.

Possible side effects of Shingrix® vaccination

Most reactions are mild and last no more than a couple of days and your patients will recover without any problems. Common side effects that may present 1 to 3 days after Shingrix® vaccination include:

• pain, redness and swelling at the injection site (up to 82% of recipients)
• tiredness and muscle aches (up to 46% of recipients)
• headaches (up to 39% of recipients) 
• fever (up to 22% of recipients)
• gastrointestinal symptoms (up to 18% of recipients)

Immunisation providers should advise their patients of expected reactions before vaccination and the importance of completing the 2-dose schedule. Two doses of Shingrix® are required for an adequate level and duration of protection.

Shingles vaccination resources

• Shield yourself from shingles – health professionals’ kit contains communication resources for health professionals about the new shingles vaccine.
• Shield yourself from shingles resources collection contains fact sheets, brochures and posters.
• National Immunisation Program – shingles program advice for vaccination providers