Key facts
- Number of doses: 2.
- Free for: Adults aged 65 years and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 50 and over, and adults 18 years and over with specific medical risk conditions.
- Side effects can include pain and swelling at the injection site, and tiredness.
What is shingles
Shingles (also called herpes zoster) is a disease caused by the chickenpox virus becoming active again in the body.
It usually causes a painful rash with blisters. Shingles can cause severe pain that may last for months, even after the rash has healed.
You cannot catch shingles from another person. However, if you have not had chickenpox or a chickenpox vaccine, you can catch chickenpox by touching the fluid from shingles blisters.
What is the shingles vaccine
The shingles vaccine is an injection that helps protect people from shingles. The ingredients teach the immune system to recognise and fight the virus that causes shingles, without causing the disease itself.
Shingles vaccines are safe and effective at protecting against shingles and its complications. Staying up to date with your vaccinations gives you the best protection.
You can find product information and consumer medicine information about shingles vaccines on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website.
Who can get the shingles vaccine
The shingles vaccine is free under the NIP schedule for:
- adults aged 65 years and over
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 50 years and over
- adults aged 18 years and over who have a specified medical risk condition.
You must also have a Medicare card or be eligible for one.
Have you previously received Zostavax for free through the NIP? You must wait 5 years before you can get Shingrix for free.
If you are not eligible for the free vaccine through the NIP
Talk to your health professional about whether vaccination is recommended for you. Most vaccines are available for private purchase with a prescription.
If you buy the vaccine yourself, you will need to pay for it. The cost is not covered or reimbursed through the NIP.
Some vaccines not funded by the NIP may be funded by your state or territory. Check the immunisation schedule for your state or territory to find out more.
How the free shingles vaccine is given
The vaccine is injected into a muscle (intramuscularly).
Costs
Some providers charge a consultation fee to give vaccines (including free ones). Check before you make an appointment.
Side effects
Most side effects of shingles vaccines can occur 1 to 3 days after vaccination. Serious side effects are rare.
Common side effects include:
- pain, redness or swelling where the needle went in
- tiredness
- muscle and joint pain
- headaches
- fever
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhoea
- stomach pain.
Find out how to manage common vaccine side effects. If you’re worried, talk to a health professional.
Safety data
See safety data for the shingles vaccine given to older adults from AusVaxSafety.
Checking immunisation history
You can get proof of your vaccination history. Visit the Check immunisation history page to find out how.
Information for health professionals
If you are a health professional, visit our Vaccination clinical support for health professionals page for more information.
You can also read the Australian Immunisation Handbook Zoster (shingles) page.
Next steps
Talk to a health professional:
- to confirm if the shingles vaccine is free or recommended for you
- about the best time to get the vaccine – this depends on your individual situation
- if you have previously had Zostavax – this may affect when you can get Shingrix.
Find a health professional in your area or call your state or territory health department.
More information
- View our NIP resources.
- Read the Zoster (shingles) page on the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) Australia website.
Shingles vaccine: frequently asked questions
Find out more about the shingles vaccine from the NCIRS Australia.
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