Shingles (also called herpes zoster) is the disease caused when the chickenpox virus reactivates. Shingles can cause severe pain that can last for months.

Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect you from serious disease caused by shingles.

Who should get vaccinated against shingles

Anyone who wants to protect themselves against shingles can talk to their vaccination provider about getting vaccinated.

The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends shingles vaccination for specific groups including:

• adults aged 60 years and over
• adults aged 50 years and over who live in the same household as someone who has a weakened immune system.

Shingles vaccination with the Zostavax vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for immunocompetent adults aged 70 years.  Catch-up vaccination is also available for adults aged 71 to 79 years until 31 October 2023.

Zostavax vaccine should not be given to:

• people who have had anaphylaxis after a previous dose of any live varicella-zoster vaccine or anaphylaxis after any component of a Zostavax vaccine
• people with current or recent severe immunocompromise
• pregnant women.

Zostavax vaccine contains a small amount of the live virus. Some people may not be able to receive a live vaccine for medical reasons. Discuss with your vaccination provider whether this vaccine is appropriate for you.

Possible side effects of shingles vaccination

You may experience minor side effects following vaccination. Most reactions are mild and last no more than a couple of days and you will recover without any problems.

Common side effects of shingles vaccines include:

• pain, redness and swelling at injection site
• occasionally, an injection-site lump (may last many weeks -no treatment needed)
• fever
• rash 5–26 days after vaccination, usually at injection site, occasionally elsewhere.

Serious reactions to immunisation are rare. With Zostavax® vaccination, very rarely a generalised chickenpox-like rash may occur around 2–4 weeks after vaccination. This may be associated with fever and feeling unwell. This rash may be a sign of a serious reaction to the virus in the vaccine. Seek medical attention and inform of recent Zostavax vaccination if you experience this reaction. 

Disclaimer:  All information provided above is directly from the www.health.gov.au website and may be subject to change.  Please refer to www.health.gov.au for more information.

Please note that Advantage Pharmacy Elsternwick only vaccinates children aged 5 years and over for Influenza.

Influenza (also called flu) is a very contagious infection of the airways. It affects people of all ages but is especially serious for young babies, young children, pregnant women and people with underlying medical conditions.  It can require hospitalisation and can cause death.

Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect you from serious disease caused by influenza.

Influenza vaccines are given each year to protect against the most common strains of the virus.

Who should get vaccinated against influenza

Yearly influenza vaccination is recommended for people aged 6 months and over. Anyone who wants to protect themselves against influenza can talk to their vaccination provider about getting vaccinated.

The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends influenza vaccination for specific groups.

The influenza vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
• Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
• Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
• People aged 65 years or over.
• People aged 6 months or over who have medical conditions that mean they have a higher risk of getting serious disease:
  • cardiac disease
  • chronic respiratory conditions
  • chronic neurological conditions
  • immunocompromising conditions
  • diabetes and other metabolic disorders
  • renal disease
  • haematological disorders
  • children aged six months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy.

  
  

Your vaccination provider will advise if you or your child have a specified medical risk condition. See also Immunisation for people with medical conditions.

Children under nine years receiving their influenza vaccination for the first time require two doses of vaccine, spaced by a minimum of one month.

In some states and territories, influenza vaccines may also be provided for free to other people not listed above. Speak to your vaccination provider or contact your state or territory Department of Health to find out.

People who are not eligible for a free vaccine can purchase the vaccine from their vaccination provider.

Aged care workers may also be required to get an influenza vaccine. Learn more about responsibilities of residential aged care providers.

People with allergies

As the egg based influenza vaccines under the NIP only contains minute traces of egg protein, people with egg allergy, including a history of anaphylaxis, can be safely vaccinated with influenza vaccines. If you have an egg allergy, please discuss this with your immunisation provider.

People should not receive the influenza vaccine if they have experienced anaphylaxis after a previous dose of any influenza vaccine or anaphylaxis after any component of an influenza vaccine.

When to get the influenza vaccine

New season influenza vaccines under the NIP are expected to be available from April. Timing may be different for your local area.  Check with your vaccination provider to find out when they will have the National Immunisation Program vaccines available and when you will be able to book in to have the vaccine.

Annual influenza vaccine should occur anytime from April onwards to be protected for the peak flu season, which is generally June to September. The highest level of protection occurs in the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination.  However, it is never too late to vaccinate since influenza can circulate in the community all year round.

Pregnant women should receive the vaccine at any stage during pregnancy.

Influenza vaccines can be given on the same day with a COVID-19 vaccine. There is no set timeframe to wait between having a COVID-19 infection and then having the influenza vaccine. Once you are feeling well and have no fever, you may receive an influenza vaccine.

Possible side effects of influenza vaccination

You may experience minor side effects following vaccination. Most reactions are mild and last no more than a couple of days and you will recover without any problems.

Common side effects of influenza vaccines include:

• drowsiness or tiredness
• muscle aches
• pain, redness and swelling at injection site
• occasionally an injection-site lump (may last many weeks - no treatment needed)
• mild fever.

Disclaimer:  All information provided above is directly from the www.health.gov.au website and may be subject to change.  Please refer to www.health.gov.au for more information.