Shingles vaccine update

The Department of Health and Aged Care (the department) is pleased to share advice on the upcoming change to the herpes zoster vaccine, Shingrix®, under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), from 1 September 2024. 

Key points

• Free shingles vaccination under the NIP has been expanded to include people at moderate to high risk of severe infection and complications from shingles.

• A 2-dose schedule of Shingrix® is available for free to eligible cohorts:

• 65 years and over

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 years and over

• 18 years and over considered at increased risk of herpes zoster due to an underlying condition and/or immunomodulatory/ immunosuppressive treatments.

• Health professionals can order supplies of Shingrix® through the usual NIP vaccine ordering channels. 

For more information and eligibility requirements, see National Immunisation Program – Shingles vaccination – Program advice for health professionals (September 2024)

 We encourage health professionals and stakeholders to subscribe to the department’s NIP Updates email list to receive the latest NIP information.