Australians over the age of 18 with underlying health conditions are now eligible for a free shingles jab.
It was previously only free for people aged 65 and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 50.
But the shingles vaccine is now free for 18-year-olds who are immunocompromised due to an underlying health condition such as HIV or stage five kidney disease — or as a side effect of treatment.
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Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said without listing the shingles vaccine on the National Immunisation Programme, Australians who are immunocompromised because of an underlying health condition would have to pay up to $560 for their vaccine.
“Making the shingles vaccine free for more Australians is not just good for their hip pocket, it’s also good for their health,” Butler said.
“Without vaccination, almost one in three Australians will get shingles in their lifetime.
“By expanding eligibility for the free shingles vaccination, the Albanese Government is protecting more at-risk Australians from this debilitating virus.”
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful blistering rash as a result of the reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox.
While most symptoms typically last two to three weeks, shingles can lead to nerve pain that can last for months.
More than 138,000 West Australians over 65 have already received a free shingles vaccine since the Albanese Government made it free.