The federal government has expanded access to the shingles vaccine, Shingrix, to cover individuals who are at a moderate to high risk of herpes zoster.
Shingles is a viral infection that is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox earlier in life. It can be a painful and potentially debilitating condition, and some people may also develop post-disease complications such as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).
While about one in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime and nearly all adults aged 50 years and older carry the inactive virus that causes shingles, the risk of developing shingles can be up to two times higher in people with immunocompromising conditions, compared to those without these conditions.
Vaccine availability widens
The eligible population for Shingrix on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) is now being expanded to cover more Australians aged 18 to 64 years who are considered to be at a moderate to high risk of shingles (herpes zoster), due to an underlying condition and/or immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive treatments, as advised by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).
Professor Paul van Buynder, public health physician and Professor in the School of Medicine at Griffith University in Queensland, said the expansion of the Shingrix NIP is very welcome news for Australians already struggling with significant health concerns.
‘Shingles can be a serious condition for adults who are considered to be highly immunocompromised. The shingles vaccine can help minimise the impact of this potentially debilitating disease and its complications, like post-herpetic neuralgia.
‘Those with immunocompromised conditions should speak with their doctor or specialist for further information about their eligibility for the NIP funded shingles vaccine, and whether it is appropriate for them,’ said Professor van Buynder.
Melbourne-based Jeanette Pritchard lives with rheumatoid arthritis, which she’s been managing on a treatment program with her healthcare professional since 2019. Ms Pritchard says she was concerned her rheumatoid arthritis pain would return after getting shingles.
‘Just after Christmas in 2022, I developed shingles, and the pain was like nothing I have ever experienced,’ she said.
‘Before I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, I had pain in my small joints and some of my large joints, but I’ve been symptom free since 2022. I was really concerned when I had shingles that my rheumatoid arthritis pain would return because I had to pause my regular treatment program to enable my immune system to fight the shingles virus.
‘Shingles was extremely painful and made it difficult to sleep, sit or even lie down. I really didn’t want to be living with the pain and discomfort of shingles as well as the fatigue, brain fog and potentially joint pain if I had a flare. It was a very anxious time.’
Other complications
Some of those living with an auto-immune disease such as Crohn’s or Ulcerative colitis, also known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), may also be at moderate to high risk of developing shingles depending on their treatment regimen.
Leanne Raven, Chief Executive Office, Crohn’s and Colitis Australia, applauds the expansion of access to the shingles vaccine.
‘Australians living with auto-immune diseases such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, need as much support as possible to avoid developing conditions that can further impact their day-to-day life,’ she said.
‘This is especially important for those who have to take certain immunosuppressants, as they are at an even greater risk of developing other health conditions such as infections, or cardiovascular disease depending on their treatment.
‘Conditions like shingles, which is more common in older people as well as people with a weakened immune system, can be debilitating.
‘Crohn’s and Colitis Australia is pleased the government recognises the impact shingles can have on adults living with these auto-immune diseases where treatment may place them at moderate to high risk of shingles and is helping to provide access to prevention.’
Vaccination lauded
Dr Alan Paul, Executive Country Medical Director at GSK Australia, said the government’s decision to expand NIP access to Shingrix to moderate to high-risk Australian adults echoes the sentiments of experts across the country.
‘Vaccination is recognised as one of the most cost-effective public health interventions that delivers benefits in the immediate term and into the future,’ he said. ‘This NIP expansion is evidence that the government is committed to providing more protection for those Australian adults considered at increased risk of herpes zoster when it comes to vaccine preventable diseases like shingles.’
