Millions of Aussies can get a free vaccination for painful and debilitating shingles.
People who are classified as ‘moderate to high risk’ aged between 18- 64 now qualify for the immunisation.
Those now eligible include patients who have underlying health conditions, such as HIV or stage five kidney disease, or those receiving certain treatments.
Since November 1 last year, two doses of the vaccine were free for over-65s, and Indigenous Aussies over-50 under the National Immunisation Program.
An extension of the federal government initiative means that immunocompromised, patients aged under-65 no longer have to fork out $560 to receive the jab.
‘Making the shingles vaccine free for more Australians is not just good for their hip pocket, it’s also good for their health,’ federal health minister Mark Butler said.
The new eligibility is the result of medical experts pushing for the change.
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of varicella zoster virus – which is the same childhood virus that causes chickenpox.
‘Moderate to high risk’ Aussies aged 18-64 and who have underlying health conditions can now get the shingles vaccine for free ( stock image of a young woman being vaccinated)
Shingles is a viral infection that is caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox. Sufferers get rashes of blisters that are painful and can be itchy (stock image)
The viral infection is often painful, with sufferers covered in a rash of blisters that typically appears on one side of their body
The rash can also be itchy.
Shingles can also be debilitating, as along with sharp, jabbing pain, patients also have the potential to develop post-disease complications.
Most people suffering from shingles can expect symptoms to last two to three weeks.
But they can also experience nerve pain for months.
Almost all adults aged over-50 carry the inactive virus that can trigger shingles, while one in three will develop the viral infection.
Those who are immunocompromised have a two times higher chance at developing the virus.
Griffith University School of Medicine Professor Paul van Buynder said expanding who qualifies for the Shingrix NIP vaccination is welcome news for Aussies with other health concerns, Nine News reported.
The expansion to include younger and immunocompromised patients onto the National Immunisation Program for the shingles vaccine will help people save up to $560 (stock image of a shingles rash on a man’s back)
‘Shingles can be a serious condition for adults who are considered to be highly immunocompromised,’ he said.
‘The shingles vaccine can help minimise the impact of this potentially debilitating disease and its complications, like post-herpetic neuralgia.’
Patients are urged to speak to their GP to check if they are eligible.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk