Shingles Vaccine in Point Cook

Shingles happens when the chickenpox virus, which stays in the body for life, wakes up again. It causes a painful rash, and for some people the nerve pain lingers long after the skin heals. The shingles vaccine used in Australia, Shingrix, is a two-dose course, and you can have both doses at Juniper Avenue Medical Centre in Point Cook.

Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles. The risk rises with age, and the lifetime risk for a person who lives to 80 is around one in two.

Why shingles is worth preventing

For around 1 in 10 people, the pain and tingling continue for months or even years. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia, and it is more common after 50. Shingles near the eye can also damage vision, according to healthdirect.

Who should consider shingles vaccination

The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends the vaccine for:

  • people aged 50 and over
  • adults aged 18 and over whose immune system is weakened by an illness or treatment, or soon will be

If you are over 50 and share a home with someone who is immunocompromised, that is another reason to consider it. Shingrix contains no live virus, so it is suitable for people with reduced immunity.

Free Shingrix under the National Immunisation Program

A free two-dose course is available for eligible people who hold, or can get, a Medicare card:

  • everyone aged 65 and over
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over
  • adults 18 and over at higher risk because of certain medical conditions or immune-suppressing treatments

If you had a free Zostavax dose in the past, you become eligible for free Shingrix five years after that dose. If you paid for Zostavax privately, you can have free Shingrix now if you are otherwise eligible. Either way, allow at least 12 months between the two vaccines. If you are outside the funded groups, for example aged 50 to 64, the vaccine itself may need to be bought, so ask reception about the cost when you book.

Two doses, spaced apart

Most people have the second dose two to six months after the first. For people who are immunocompromised the gap is one to two months, so protection builds sooner. Both doses are needed. Current evidence shows good protection at ten years, and no booster is recommended at present.

The clinic sends SMS reminders for preventive care such as immunisation, which helps with remembering the second dose.

Side effects and what to mention first

Reactions usually appear within one to three days and settle within a couple more:

  • pain, redness or swelling where the needle went in
  • tiredness, muscle aches, headache or fever
  • an upset stomach

Before the injection, tell the doctor or nurse about any medicines that affect your immune system, a past reaction to a vaccine and any recent shingles. You will be asked to stay nearby for at least 15 minutes afterwards. Call 000 if you have trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat.

Getting the shingles vaccine at Juniper

You can book online or call reception, and mention the shingles vaccine when you book. A GP can check your eligibility, look up earlier doses on the Australian Immunisation Register and review whether other adult vaccines are due. Adult immunisations are bulk billed with all our doctors. Other consultation costs are on our fees page.

Common questions

I had shingles last year. Can I still be vaccinated?

Yes. People who are not immunocompromised are generally advised to wait at least 12 months after an episode, because the illness itself gives a short-term boost to immunity. Your GP will help you pick the right time.

I had Zostavax years ago. Is that enough?

Protection from Zostavax fades significantly from around five years, so a full Shingrix course is recommended. The eligibility rules above explain when it becomes free for you.

Can I have the shingles vaccine on the same day as other vaccines?

Yes. It can be given with other non-live vaccines, such as flu, COVID-19, RSV, pneumococcal and tetanus-containing vaccines, at the same visit or at any time after. The immunisation services page lists the vaccines given at the clinic.

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