SHINGLES VACCINE FREE FOR 70-79 YR OLDS

SEVENTY-YEAR-OLD Australians can now get the shingles vaccine for free.

Minister for Health Sussan Ley announced yesterday that the shingles vaccine would be free to eligible people, with a catch-up program available for adults aged 71 to 79 years.

Shingles is a painful rash, which can blister and is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.

It is a serious infection that has a particularly debilitating effect on older people. One in three adults are at risk of developing the virus in their lifetime.

With the introduction of the shingles vaccine, the National Immunisation Program now provides free vaccines for eligible people against 17 infectious diseases.

Due to limited supply we are trying to vaccinate the 79 year old's first.
 

Speak to your GP for more info.