People aged 65 and over have a high risk of Influenza and Pneumococcal infections. The following vaccines are recommended and funded for everyone in this age group.
Free Shingles (Herpes Zoster) vaccine
A free vaccine against shingles is available for people aged 70 to 79 under the National Immunisation Program.
Shingles is a painful and debilitating skin rash that often includes blisters. The rash usually appears on one side of your face or body and lasts for 2 to 4 weeks. Persistent pain from shingles lesions (known as Post Herpetic Neuralgia) can be very severe and can last for a year or more.
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. You can only develop shingles if you have had chickenpox.
Older people are more likely to get shingles and it can be more severe.
The vaccine is free for people aged 70 as an ongoing program. A catch up program for people aged 71 to 79 years of age is available until 2021.
Please speak with your GP for more information. For more information on shingles immunisation visit Australian Government Department of Health.