Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that’s responsible for chickenpox.

Shingles can occur at any age, to anyone that has had chickenpox. This is because after recovering from chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus lies dormant in the body. Later on in life, the virus can reactivate, resulting in shingles.

Shingles primarily affects individuals over the age of 50 and those with a weakened immune system. Nearly all adults aged 50 and above already harbour the dormant virus responsible for causing shingles.

Shingles is not contagious, however, you can get chickenpox from someone who has shingles if you’ve never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.

Shingles may cause pain and tingling, itching, sensitivity to tough, malaise, fatigue and fever.

A 2-dose course of Shingrix^® is available for free for:

• people aged 65 years and over
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• 18 years and over considered at increased risk of herpes zoster due to an underlying condition and/or immunomodulatory/ immunosuppressive treatments

The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends shingles vaccination for specific groups including:

• people aged 50 years and over
• immunocompromised people aged 18 years and over
• people aged 50 years and over who live in the same household as someone who has a weakened immune system.

If you are over 50 years and want to get the vaccine but do not qualify for a free vaccination, please discuss this with your GP.

Shingrix^® vaccine does not contain the live virus and is safe for people with immunocompromise.