SHINGLES VACCINATION

Shingles (also called herpes zoster) is the disease caused when the chickenpox virus reactivates. Shingles is characterised by a painful rash with blisters that can also be itchy and can last for several weeks. There are 3 different phases to the symptoms of shingles. The length of each phase varies from person to person.

Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect yourself from serious disease caused by shingles. The Shingrix vaccine for shingles can now be administered by a pharmacist by way of a 2 dose course given over an interval of 2-6 months for people who are immunocompetent or an interval of 1-2 months for people who are immunocompromised. Make sure you finish the complete vaccination course, as this will maximise the protection offered by the shingles vaccine.

Who should get vaccinated against 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.

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.

If you purchased the Zostavax vaccine privately, you can receive Shingrix for free under the program if you’re eligible.

You should wait at least 12 months between receiving Zostavax and getting the Shingrix vaccine.


Even if you are not eligible for a free vaccine, there are groups for whom Shingrix (privately funded) is also recommended:
people aged ≥50 years who are immunocompetent
people aged ≥18 years who are immunocompromised
people aged ≥50 years who are household contacts of a person who is immunocompromised

Talk to your health professional about your eligibility for the free shingles vaccine today.

Making a Shingles vaccination booking

is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Select your store by postcode

2. Click MAKE A BOOKING

3. Select the date and vaccination required

Learn more about the Shingles vaccine

The shingles vaccine is a single vaccine, not a combination vaccine (2 or more different vaccines in 1 dose). Shingrix consists of 2 doses given 2 to 6 months apart in immunocompetent (healthy) people, or 1 to 2 months apart in people who are immunocompromised.

To deliver this service safely to our customers we have implemented the following measures at our vaccination clinics:

If you are unwell and have any symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath please do not present at our Pharmacy for your shingles vaccination. Please call the pharmacy to cancel and rebook for another time when you are well.

We encourage all staff and customers to practise good hand hygiene and cough etiquette at all times. All vaccination clinics will have access to hand sanitiser for use by the immuniser between each vaccination and will be made available for customer use.

You will be required to remain in the pharmacy for 15 minutes post vaccination to be monitored. The person who gave you the vaccine has been trained to respond to immediate reactions.


Vaccinations are subject to Pharmacist and vaccine availability, age restrictions apply.


Please ask your pharmacist for more information about the Shingrix vaccination.