IMMUNISATION UPDATE – The shingles vaccine appointments are bulk billed and is now available in limited supply.
The vaccine clinic appointments are bulk billed. If you are seeing one of our doctors for any reason in the next month then there is no need to book into the vaccine clinic as we can just give you the vaccine at your usual appointment. Please book online or call the clinic. You can also get it at your routine clinic appointment if you are coming in for other reasons , you wont need to pre-book , you can just ask you doctor at your usual appointment.
Supplies are very limited – pleas email reception1@waverleygp.com.auto go onto our waiting list.
About the vaccine – Shingrix
Shingrix is a safer and longer-lasting non-live vaccine. This is significant because shingles, which can cause post-herpetic neuralgia, becomes more common with age, particularly in those aged 65 and above. Providing Shingrix through the NIP is a vital step in reducing shingles and its complications in high-risk populations.
The shingles vaccine is a single vaccine, not a combination vaccine (2 or more different vaccines in 1 dose).
Shingrix vaccine does not contain the live virus and is safe for people with immunocompromise.
Shingrix consists of 2 doses given 2 to 6 months apart in immuno-competent (healthy) people over 50 , or 1 to 2 months apart in people who are immunocompromised (over 18yo).
A 2-dose course of Shingrix® will be available for free for:
- people aged 65 years and older
- First Nations people aged 50 years and older
- immunocompromised people aged 18 years and older with the following medical conditions:
- haemopoietic stem cell transplant
- solid organ transplant
- haematological malignancy
- advanced or untreated HIV.
Unlike Zostavax®, Shingrix® does not contain any live virus so it can be given to people aged 18 years and over who are immunocompromised.
If you previously received a free Zostavax shingles vaccine under the NIP, you are not eligible for a free Shingrix vaccine for at least 5 years.
If you purchased the Zostavax vaccine privately, you can receive Shingrix for free under the program if you’re eligible.
You should wait at least 12 months between receiving Zostavax and getting the Shingrix vaccine.
WHAT IS SHINGLES?
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a viral infection marked by a painful skin rash that typically appears as a strip on one side of the body. It results from the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox. The virus can lay dormant in nerve cells after chickenpox and reactivate, often when the immune system is weakened due to factors like age, immune suppression, chronic illness, or other infections. Symptoms include a burning or tingling sensation, followed by a painful rash with fluid-filled blisters. The rash generally fades within weeks, but in some cases, the pain can persist for months. Persistent pain in the region for longer than 3 months is called post-herpetic neuralgia. The risk of post-herpetic neuralgia increases with advancing age. It is reduced by prior vaccination.
WHAT IF I THINK I HAVE SHINGLES?
Whether you’re vaccinated or not, if you suspect you have shingles, don’t hesitate. Reach out to your doctor immediately. Early use of antiviral medications can reduce the severity and duration of the illness. To schedule an urgent appointment, call the WGP reception team at 9802 8155 and inform them of your possible shingles diagnosis. There are additional medications to alleviate pain and symptoms as well.
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/shingles
