Expanded Access to Free Shingles Vaccine Spurs Record Vaccination Numbers

The expansion of eligibility for the free Shingrix vaccine under Australia’s National Immunisation Program (NIP) has driven a record number of shingles vaccinations, according to new data from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS).

On November 1, 2023, Shingrix offcially replaced Zostavax as the sole NIP-funded vaccine for shingles prevention in Australia. Prior to this, Shingrix had only been available for private purchase since 2021. Since the NIP changes were implemented, there has been a signifcant increase in Shingrix vaccinations across the country. In the frst six months alone, nearly 20% of eligible adults aged 65 and older received at least one dose, amounting to approximately 1.25 million doses administered by April 30, 2024.

Associate Professor Frank Beard, Associate Director at NCIRS, commented on the rapid uptake, attributing it to the expanded eligibility under the NIP and the superior, longer-lasting effectiveness of Shingrix compared to Zostavax. “Shingrix’s broader availability under the NIP and its better protective effcacy have likely contributed to the increased vaccination rates,” he stated. Previously, the free Zostavax vaccine was only available to adults aged 70–79 years under the NIP. However, with Shingrix’s inclusion, eligibility was broadened to encompass all adults aged 65 years and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over, and selected groups aged 18 years and older with weakened immunity. This expansion has allowed more at-risk individuals to receive protection against severe disease.

Associate Professor Beard highlighted Shingrix’s effcacy, noting that it provides over 90% protection for adults aged 50 years and older over a three-year period. In contrast, Zostavax offers 70% protection for those aged 50–59 years but drops signifcantly to 41% in the 70–79 age group and just 18% for those 80 and over. Additionally, Shingrix maintains over

80% effectiveness eight years post-vaccination, compared to only 30% for Zostavax.

Another signifcant advantage of Shingrix is its safety profle. Unlike Zostavax, which poses serious risks for immunocompromised individuals, Shingrix is safe for use in both healthy and immunocompromised people. “While minor side effects are more common with Shingrix, its overall safety and effectiveness make it a preferable option, as evidenced by the rapid uptake among Australians,” added Associate Professor Beard.

Safety data from AusVaxSafety show that more than half of Shingrix recipients (52.3%) experienced no side effects within the frst three days following vaccination. Among those who did report side effects, the most common were local reactions such as pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site, followed by fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and headaches. These symptoms are typically short-lived, resolving within a few days without treatment. Shingles, a painful condition caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox, presents as a rash of fuid-flled blisters. It is estimated that 50% of people who live to 80 will experience shingles, with a higher risk among immunocompromised individuals. Although often self-limiting, shingles can lead to serious complications, including postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a debilitating condition that can persist for months or even years after the rash has healed. NCIRS will continue to monitor Shingrix vaccination uptake and safety and is developing a plan to evaluate the long-term impact of the NIP changes. This evaluation will focus on Shingrix’s effectiveness and its impact on shingles incidence and severity.

For more information on shingles and vaccination recommendations, consult the shingles chapter of the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

‘Mum Jane’ informed me that since her recent viral illness she still feels ‘outa sorts’ & gets awfully tired even though she sleeps 10 hours a night. e other virus symptoms have gone but she said the exhaustion is persisting. Crikey, I trust she’s not asking ME, ‘Leemo Cat’ for a diagnosis as I sleep 20 hours out of every 24 and feel quite ne thank you. Hmmm? ‘Mum why not go conduct an Inquisition; I’m sure all that stu you’re always reading will provide an answer, (like when you self-diagnosed with Bilharzia until I pointed out this parasite water worm thingie is prevalent in African waterways but not the Wilson’s River or anywhere else in Australia) have you considered you’re just old & ‘illness’ stu takes longer to go away?’ (I got the pruney stare glare as usual; it was kinda like an accusation that I am devoid of any solicitousness toward her; oh diddly dee; this is simply not true; I have a cat life to lead & must get on with it as best I can; I’m older than her anyhow!) Eeek, the shouty voice sounded; ‘Leems, are you aware that post-viral symptons from all the viruses that are swanning around us right here right now are quite similar? Like fatigue, muscle & body aches, coughs & stu ? For all I know Leemo, I may even have had a yet unrecognised virus. (I raised MY eyes this time ‘cos she’s TRULY a drama queen!) ‘Hmmm, Mum dearest, what SORT of virus crosses your feeble exhausted old mind pray tell?’ (Ooooh, she did a loud foot stomp.)

‘Leemo, you really are most rude smarty pants cat; a smidgeon of empathy would NOT go astray right now in my poorly state. What if it turns out I had, all of a sudden, developed an allergy to YOU that turned into a virus called ‘Antileemitispoxi’ for which there is no hope of recovery? What happens if this is in fact correct? Well?? Has it crossed your mind that if I AM allergic to you, one of us has to move out & nd another place to call home, and it AIN’T gonna be ME! ere’s good news though Leems, the Lismore City Council Pound has just been upgraded to provide quite adequate accommodation for wayward allergy causing cats; you will get your own ‘space’ (with bars) a hammock, AND a mattress; 1 treat a day; no ‘Bluey’; no plush blue blankies; no brushes or feathers on a stick games, tree climbing, trips in the car or your cat & magpie buddies visiting & so on!. I’m sure you’ll settle in there nicely Leems until some other foolishly naïve but kindly human comes along to take you home like I did. Make sure your wee port is packed & on standbyby; don’t take ANYthing you don’t own ‘cos I’ll be checking the contents before the Pound Paddy Wagon arrives. Later: ‘Ooooh, the total horror overcame me; it seems I fainted with a terri ed howl when Mum told me about being taken to the Pound. She gave me R&R which she told me was one of the most distasteful things she’s ever had to do ‘cos I’d eaten Tuna & beans. I awoke wrapped in my plush blue blankie. en, THE VOICE! Aaargh! ‘Leems, snap out of it will you.’ OMG, Mum’s lack of empathy came over kinda like mine I’m ashamed to admit. We looked at each other & knew we had both been unkind so made a truce. Neither of us would ever again lack empathy toward each other or any other living creature. A er make-up huggles & purrs & stu , I dri ed o into a happy dreamland of TREATS! Nitey with more purrs, Leemo.