National Immunisation Program – changes to shingles vaccination

From 1 November 2023, the shingles vaccine Shingrix® will replace Zostavax® on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule for the prevention of shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia. It will be available for eligible people most at risk of complications from shingles.

A 2-dose course of Shingrix® will be available for 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 HIV.

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

Zostavax® is available until 31 October 2023

Zostavax® continues to be available on the NIP for immunocompetent people aged 70 years, with a catch-up program from 71–79 years, until 31 October 2023.

The program changes follow recommendations from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and other clinical experts.

We will provide further information over the coming weeks to support the introduction of Shingrix® to the NIP.

Further information

Information resources for consumers and health providers will be available on our immunisation page.