Zostavax - Shingles Vaccine
 The shingles vaccine, Zostavax®, has been approved to be placed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP), to be provided free of charge from 1 November 2016 to people aged 70 years, subject to vaccine supply. There will also be a five year catch-up program for people aged 71 – 79 years. What is Shingles? 
Shingles is a painful rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. The shingles rash develops into itchy blisters usually occurring on one side of the body either on the face, chest, back, abdomen or pelvis, and can take several weeks to settle. Around 1 in 100 Australians who are older than 50, are thought to have had shingles at some stage. Shingles diagnosis If you have had chickenpox in the past, the virus stays in the nerve cells near the spine, but is not active. Shingles occurs when the virus becomes active again. You cannot catch shingles from someone who has shingles. But, if you have not had chickenpox you can catch chickenpox by being in direct contact with fluid on the blisters of someone who has shingles. Almost all people have had chickenpox by the time they turn 40 and may be at risk of developing shingles. Sometimes shingles can occur with no known trigger. However, shingles is more likely to occur if you:
Over-the counter medications such as paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, can be used for pain relief. If over-the-counter medicines aren’t controlling your pain, your doctor may prescribe other medicines such as opioids, anti-depressants and anticonvulsants . Click here for further information from immunise.health.gov.au |
|
Covid-19 - Information
Flu Shot Emergency Numbers After Hours 13 74 25 Contact Hours |
Doctors
Appointments Fees About Map Links |
Immunisation
Feedback Local Pharmacies Resources Home |
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
| 
| 
| 
|