Is there a new, safer Shingles Vaccine available?
Yes!
Shingles is a nasty viral infection.
It causes a painful blistering rash via the reactivation of chickenpox (varicella zoster virus) in a nerve and one of its primary complications is post herpetic neuralgia or severe nerve pain. This pain can become chronic in nature. You can only get Shingles if you have had chickenpox in the past.
Shingles is common, occurring in 1 in 3 people in a lifetime and in some cases can even be recurrent. Luckily, we have vaccines that are easily accessible and effective.
Previously, the National Immunisation Program or NIP schedule for the prevention of Shingles only allowed for the provision of Zostavax from 70 years of age. Whilst a very good vaccine, the fact that it is a live vaccine meant that it could only be given to patients with excellent immune systems. This ruled out patients living with cancer, autoimmune diseases, or who were on certain medications including immunosuppressants or steroids.
From 1 November 2023, the shingles vaccine Shingrix replaced Zostavax on the NIP schedule for the prevention of Shingles and post herpetic neuralgia. It is a 2-dose course which is provided for free for patients:
65 years and over
First Nations people 50 years and over
Immunocompromised people aged 18 years and over with the following medical conditions.
Solid organ transplant
HIV
Blood cancer
Stem cell transplant
Shingrix is not a live vaccine so it can be given to patients who are immunocompromised.
The only contraindications to Shingrix are people who have had a severe allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis to any component of the vaccine or any person who currently has Shingles. The current advice is that Shingrix should be given once the acute stage of the illness is over and the person is symptom free again.
There are a few considerations for this though:
People who have received a free Zostavax under the NIP are not eligible for a free Shingrix vaccine for 5 years post Zostavax administration.
However, if they purchased the Zostavax and meet the criteria above, they can have a free Shingrix immediately.
It is recommended to wait at least 12 months between a Zostavax and a Shingrix vaccine.
Shingrix is 97% effective at preventing Shingles but even if you do get Shingles you are highly unlikely to develop Post Herpetic Neuralgia. If you would like the vaccine or would like to talk further about the vaccine, any of the doctors contracted at Leichhardt General Practice would be very happy to discuss this further with you.
