Shingles vaccine
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful blistering rash. It is caused by reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox. While most symptoms typically last 2-3 weeks, shingles can become serious. It can lead to nerve pain that can last for months (called post-herpetic neuralgia or PHN). Other serious complications include pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness and swelling of the brain.
About 1 in 3 people will get shingles in their lifetime. Shingles usually affects older people, and the risk of complications increases with age, particularly for:
- those over the age of 65
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over
- some people with weakened immune systems
Eligibility for shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine
Shingrix is a FREE shingles vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and 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 or older
- 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
Book an appointment
Bookings are essential and should be made online using the below portal.
Book online with Vitavo
To book an appointment for yourself or your family you will need to create a new account on Vitavo for yourself and add then add any children/dependants.
Please read the instructions below on how to use the new booking system.
How to use the Vitavo online booking system
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.
For more information about eligibility criteria, please visit the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website.