Shingles Vaccine in Newport

Shingles happens when the chickenpox virus wakes up again, often decades after the original infection, and the pain can last for months. The shingles vaccine given at Your Community Pharmacy is Shingrix, a non-live vaccine given as a course of two doses. NSW pharmacists can give it to adults aged 18 and over, and many people aged 65 or older receive the whole course free.

Who the shingles vaccine is for

The national handbook recommends shingles vaccination for everyone aged 50 and over who is immunocompetent, and for immunocompromised adults from 18. Because Shingrix contains no live virus, it is suitable for people with a weakened immune system. Shingles can leave lasting nerve pain called post-herpetic neuralgia, which is one of the main reasons to protect yourself before an episode.

Free Shingrix under the NIP

The two-dose shingles vaccine course is free for:

• people aged 65 and over
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over
• adults 18 and over considered at increased risk of shingles because of an underlying condition or immune-suppressing treatment

These are the groups at moderate to high risk of severe illness and complications from shingles. If you had a free Zostavax dose under the program, you become eligible for free Shingrix five years after it. If you paid for Zostavax yourself, you can have free Shingrix once you meet the criteria above, leaving at least 12 months between the two. Any other adult can buy the course privately; the pharmacist will explain the cost of each dose.

Shingles vaccine at a pharmacy in NSW

Under the NSW pharmacist rules, Shingrix is the only shingles brand a pharmacist may give. A visit to our walk-in vaccinations service runs like this:

1. Come in during opening hours with photo ID and your Medicare card if you have one.
2. Bring your vaccination history, including the date of any Zostavax dose.
3. Tell the pharmacist about any medicines that affect your immunity, as a weakened immune system shortens the gap between doses.
4. The pharmacist records the dose on the Australian Immunisation Register, and you wait at least 15 minutes.

Timing your second dose

Most people have the second dose two to six months after the first. For people who are immunocompromised the gap is shorter, one to two months. Both doses are needed for full protection, so it helps to note the due date before you leave. Older adults can also have an RSV vaccine or COVID-19 dose on the same day.

After your shingles vaccination

Reactions usually show up one to three days after the injection and pass within a couple of days. The arm may be sore, red or swollen, and some people feel tired or achy, or get a headache, fever or upset stomach. Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives or trouble breathing, need a triple zero (000) call.

Common questions