A single dose of shingles vaccine is recommended and funded for adults at 70 years of age. Adults 71-79 years of age are also eligible under a five-year catch up program until 31 October 2021. 

At the commencement of the program, the interest in the vaccine was unprecedented.  Early shortages have been addressed and there is now ample stock available to meet ongoing demand under the program.

More information is available:

• Fax on the shingles vaccination program sent to GPs
• Immunise Australia website​​ 
• Factsheet ​from the National Centre for Immunisation Research & Surveillance​ (NCIRS) 
• FAQ ​from NCIRS 
• Webinars on shingles have been prepared for GPs. 
  

C​ontraindications to shingles vaccination

Certain people may be unable to have the vaccine, particularly those who have a very weakened immune system. Please speak with your GP for advice. 

Advice on contraindications to shingles vaccination is available:

• Fax on Zostavax contraindications sent to GPs (updated November 2017)
• FAQ ​(updated April 2018) from NCIRS 
• The Australian Government Department of Health has developed a pre-vaccination checklist​ ​to assist immunisation providers in screening for contraindications to shingles vaccination.
  

The current Immunisation Authority for Registered Nurses and Midwives does not include herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine. Authorised Nurse Immunisers must not independently initiate and administer herpes zoster vaccine (Zostavax) without medical authorisation. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​