More Australians will be able to get a free vaccine for the painful condition shingles.
Aussies ages 18 to 64 who are classed as “moderate to high risk” will be able to get the jab.
That includes patients with an underlying condition or who are on certain treatments.
Shingles is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox in children.
It can be a painful and potentially debilitating condition, and some people may also develop post-disease complications.
About one in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime and nearly all adults aged 50 years and older carry the inactive virus that causes it.
But the the risk of developing shingles can be up to two times higher in people with immunocompromising conditions compared to those without these conditions, according to data.
Professor Paul van Buynder, public health physician and Professor in the School of Medicine at Griffith University in Queensland, said the expansion of the Shingrix NIP is welcome news for Australians already struggling with health concerns.
“Shingles can be a serious condition for adults who are considered to be highly immunocompromised,” he said.
“The shingles vaccine can help minimise the impact of this potentially debilitating disease and its complications, like post-herpetic neuralgia.
Patients can speak to their GP to see if they are eligible.
Patients aged over 65, immunocompromised adults and indigenous patients aged over 50 have been eligible for two free doses of Shingrix on the National Immunisation Program since November 1 last year.
Experts have pushed for the age to be lowered.
