Shingrix availability on PBS in Australia from 1 November has been confirmed

[CLLerinOz]

SEE THIS REPLY for the latest update to this post: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

Earlier this year, I posted about a possible change to the PBS to make Shingrix available for vaccination protection from shingles as part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in Australia. It has now been confirmed that change will definitely happen from 1 November 2023 when Shingrix will replace Zostavax on the NIP.

immunisation.health.vic.gov...

Those with certain conditions, including CLL, will be eligible for Shingrix on the NIP if they are aged 18 or older. It will involve a two dose schedule 1-2 months apart for the immunocompromised.

Immunocompetent adults will be eligible for Shingrix at the age of 70 (not younger or older) for a two dose schedule 2-6 months apart. Those 71-79 who are immunocompetent would need to pay for Shingrix if they requested it after 31 Oct 2023. Otherwise they have until the end of this month to access Zostavax for free on the NIP but it won’t be available at all in Australia after that date. Remember, Zostavax is a live vaccine and is not recommended for those with CLL.

“Key messages

Shingrix® is a non-live vaccine and highly effective in the prevention of herpes zoster and its complications, including post-herpetic neuralgia, in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised people.

The free two dose course of Shingrix® will be available for -

people aged 70 years (only)

First Nations people aged 50 years or older

immunocompromised people aged 18 years or older with certain medical risk conditions. 

Two dose schedule is given -

2-6 months apart (immunocompetent)

1-2 months apart (immunocompromised)

Shingrix® vaccine is given via the intramuscular route.

Shingrix® requires reconstitution.

The Zostavax® shingles vaccine and catch-up program for people aged 71-79 years will cease on 31 October 2023. There will be no catch-up program from 1 November 2023. ”

- my emphasis

Some with a prior history of shingles may require ongoing prophylactic treatment with a low dose antiviral like valaciclovir in addition to vaccination with Shingrix.

To see the earlier post, go to:

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

To see our pinned post about general vaccination advice for those with CLL and information about this and other vaccines, go to:

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

CLLerinOz

Note: this is an unlocked post.

[Guffy]

Excellent news! I had to pay 600 bucks for my two jabs. Glad I did it, but many pensioners, unemployed, disabled and other welfare recipients would not have been able to afford it.

[CLLerinOz Administrator in reply to Guffy]

You’re right. It’s great news for those who’ll now be able to access it for free, especially those who just couldn’t afford it before this change.

It’s a pity it’s not going to be available on the NIP for immunocompetent adults who are aged 71-79 after 31 October 2023. However, it’s great that it’s replacing the less effective, live vaccine and that it’ll be available to those with certain conditions, like CLL, from the age of 18+.

Well down the track, we might be asking questions about whether a booster dose might be needed in the immunocompromised who’ve received it at a younger age but it’s too early in its use to know or worry about that yet.

CLLerinOz

[CLLerinOz Administrator]

I can now report that the Australian Government formally announced today that from the 1 Nov 2023 it will cease using Zostavax (a live vaccine for shingles not recommended for those with CLL) and start using Shingrix (a non-live vaccine safe for those with CLL) on the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

With that announcement came an important recent change that will affect the eligibility of those who are immunocompetent.

From 1 Nov 2023 Shingrix will be available on the NIP to:

"everyone aged 65 years and over, First Nations people 50 years and over, and immunocompromised people 18 years and over at high risk of herpes zoster infection."

health.gov.au/ministers/the...

This is very welcome news for those who are immunocompetent who will be able to access Shingrix free on the National Immunisation Program from the age of 65 and over from 1 Nov 2023 rather than only when they are 70 years of age as previously reported.

The immunocompromised were already expected to be eligible for Shingrix from the 1 Nov 2023 if they were aged 18+, as were First Nations people from the age of 50 and this has been confirmed in today's announcement.

- my emphasis

CLLerinOz