A new shingles vaccine is rolling out across the Military Health System, and health care experts say it’s a game changer. The vaccine, Shingrix, is recommended for healthy adults 50 and older to prevent shingles, a painful skin rash that can have debilitating long-term effects for older people.
“Who’s at risk for getting shingles? Anyone who’s had the chickenpox,” said retired Air Force Col. David Hrncir, an allergist-immunologist at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. “Anywhere from 90 to 99 percent of people now over the age of 40 had chickenpox, before there was a chickenpox vaccine. About one-third will get shingles at some point in their lives, if they’re not protected.”
An earlier shingles vaccine was introduced in 2006, said Hrncir, who’s also director of the Defense Health Agency Immunization Healthcare Branch Regional Vaccine Safety Hub. But that vaccine was for people 60 and older when it first came out, and only about 70 percent effective in offering full protection against the virus.
“People who had the old vaccine will benefit from getting the new one,” Hrncir said. “Also, shingles can recur. So even if you’ve already had shingles, get the new vaccine.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, offers advice about those who should not get the new vaccine. A virus called varicella zoster causes shingles. It’s the same virus that causes chickenpox.
After chickenpox clears, the virus stays dormant. Health care experts don’t know why, but the virus may erupt many years later as shingles.
Shingles usually develops as a stripe across one side of the body or face, according to the CDC. People may feel pain, itching, or tingling in the area where the rash occurs a few days before it actually appears, the CDC said. Other symptoms may include fever, headaches, and chills.
A few days after the rash appears, it turns into fluid-filled blisters, Hrncir said. They usually scab over after a week or 10 days, and then the scabs clear up a couple of weeks after that, he said.
But the pain may persist even after the rash clears. Some people develop postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN.
“The older you are when you get shingles, the more likely it is you’ll develop PHN and have longer-lasting and severe pain,” Hrncir said. “And it’s pain that’s not easily treated. So you’re left with this constant pain that can significantly affect quality of life.”
Soon-Ja Boyette of Stafford, Va., understands that all too well. More than five months after getting shingles, the 75-year-old Army widow still experiences shooting pain from underneath her left breast to the top of her backbone, the path of her shingles rash.
“I’m getting better,” said Boyette, who goes to Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Virginia. “The pain isn’t nearly as bad as it used to be. Every day, I’m praying, praying, praying that it’s finished.”
Hrncir said the new vaccine is a two-dose series, with the second dose administered anywhere from two to six months after the first. A majority of patients have reported side effects for two or three days after vaccination, he said. They include headaches, fatigue, and nausea. The CDC advises patients to talk with providers about possible side effects.
“Frankly, if that’s the extent of it, I’m willing to go through it and get the vaccine so I can avoid shingles later on,” said John Acton, a retired Coast Guard rear admiral. Acton is planning to talk with his provider about getting vaccinated, even though he had the original shingles vaccine several years ago.
Patients should contact their local MTF to verify the vaccine is available.
Page last updated on 28 September 2022
Vaccination is a simple and effective way to lower your chances of becoming seriously ill or hospitalised from vaccine-preventable diseases. By keeping up-to-date with your vaccinations, you’re also helping out the community by protecting the more vulnerable people from becoming infected.
Some vaccinations are provided for older adults for free via the National Immunisation Program (NIP). These include: influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine and the shingles vaccine
Commonly asked questions
What vaccinations are recommended for older adults?
The Australian Government recommendations for adults are:
| Disease | Information | Cost |
| Pneumococcal disease | A single dose for adults aged 70 years and over | Free to those eligible on the National Immunisation Program |
| Shingles (Herpes zoster) | A single dose for people aged 70 years olds, OR if you are over 70 and have not yet been vaccinated, a single catch-up dose is available for those aged between 71 to 79 year olds until 31 October 2023 | Free to those eligible on the National Immunisation Program |
| Influenza | An annual dose for adults aged 65 years and over | Free to those eligible on the National Immunisation Program |
| Tetanus | A booster dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine is recommended for adults aged 50 years old or over who have not received a tetanus- containing vaccine in the past 10 years (but have previously completed a primary course of 3 doses) | A fee may apply |
| Whooping cough (pertussis) | A single booster dose of a whooping cough vaccine is recommended for adults aged 65 years old or more who have not been vaccinated in the past 10 years | A fee may apply |
Plus, if you are travelling, speak with your doctor before you go to ensure your vaccinations are up-to-date and that you have received the recommended vaccinations specific for the regions you are travelling to.
Are there any free vaccines for older adults?
For adults 65 years and older, the following vaccines are free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP):
- Pneumococcal
disease:
A single dose is available for adults aged 70 years and over. - Shingles:
A single dose is available for 70 year olds. Until 31 October 2023, a single catch-up dose is also available for adults aged 71 to 79 years. - Influenza (the
flu):
Seasonal influenza vaccine once a year.
Note that a consultation fee may apply.
What is pneumococcal disease?
Pneumococcal disease refers to the group of illnesses that can be caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium commonly known as pneumococcus.
Most pneumococcal infections are mild, however some can cause serious disease, complications and even death.
From the upper airways, pneumococcus can cause infections in different parts of the body, such as the ear (otitis media, one of the most common pneumococcal diseases in children), sinuses, joints or bone. Sometimes it causes serious illness like:
- meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain)
- pneumonia (infection of the lungs – one of the most common pneumococcal diseases in adults)
- bacteraemia (presence of bacteria in the blood)
In adults, pneumonia accounts for more than one-third of pneumonia in the community.
In children, middle ear infection is a common complication. In fact pneumococcus is the main cause of middle ear infection in children, found in 28-55% of cases. Although the least common presentation in children, pneumococcal meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain) is a serious complication.
Do I need the whooping cough vaccine to see my great-grandchild?
Did you know that babies who get whooping cough usually get it from a family member?
Young babies are at risk of whooping cough because they are too young to have their vaccinations, and whooping cough is more severe in very young infants.
Those spending time with newborns can help protect them from whooping cough by making sure their vaccinations are up-to-date. Immunity to whooping cough wanes over time, so boosters for adults are recommended.
Speak with your healthcare professional for more information.
Do I need a shingles vaccine?
The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults aged 60 years and over, and adults aged 50 years and over with household contacts who are immunocompromised. However, those who have previously received the chickenpox vaccine are not recommended to receive the shingles vaccine.
The shingles vaccine is free as part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for people over 70 years of age. Until 31 October 2023, a single catch-up dose is also available for adults aged 71 to 79 years.
For more information regarding shingles, the vaccination and its prevention, speak with your doctor.
I am over 65, do I need a special flu vaccine?
The Australian Government recommends a single dose of the seasonal influenza vaccine for all Australians.
There are enhanced vaccines that are available for use in older patients. These vaccines offer increased immune responses to combat age-related weakened immune systems.
Make sure you let your healthcare professional know your age when you go in for your vaccinations to ensure you have access to the free government-funded vaccine.
For more information regarding influenza and its prevention, speak with your healthcare professional.
VaccineHub offers general information only. Please see a healthcare professional for medical advice
Find a doctor near you
Sources & Citations
- Australian Government. Department of Health. Why get immunised? Available at: //campaigns.health.gov.au/immunisation facts/why-get-immunised (accessed 27 May 2022).
- Australian Government. Department of Health. Immunisation for seniors. Available at: //www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/immunisation-throughout-life/immunisation-for-seniors (accessed 27 May 2022).
- Australian Government. Department of Health. National Immunisation Program Schedule. Available at: //www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/when-to-get-vaccinated/national-immunisation-program-schedule (accessed 27 May 2022).
- Victorian Government. Better Health. Pneumococcal disease. Available at: //www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/pneumococcal-disease (accessed 27 May 2022).
- Australian Government. Department of Health. Pneumococcal disease. Available at: //immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/pneumococcal-disease (accessed 27 May 2022).
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccines for Family and Caregivers. Available at //www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/family-caregivers.html (accessed 27 May 2022).
- Australian Government. Department of Health. Zoster (herpes zoster). Available at: Zoster (herpes zoster) | The Australian Immunisation Handbook (health.gov.au) (accessed 1 June 2022).
- Health Direct. Flu vaccine FAQs. //www.healthdirect.gov.au/flu-vaccine-faqs (accessed 27 May 2022).
- ACT Government. Health. Know the facts about the influenza vaccine. Available at: //health.act.gov.au/services-and-programs/immunisation/influenza-flu/know-facts-about-influenza-vaccine (accessed 27 May 2022).
MAT-AU-2201301 (v1.0) Date of preparation June 2022
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