Who gets the shingles vaccine (Shingrix) free, what it costs if you don't, and how the 2-dose course works. Tap your situation below.
📋 Sources: National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS — Zoster (shingles)); Australian Immunisation Handbook — Zoster (updated Jan 2026); Australian Government Department of Health — Shingles (herpes zoster) immunisation. Verified June 2026 — NIP eligibility can change; confirm current details with your GP or at health.gov.au. This page is general health information, not medical advice. Your GP or pharmacist knows your history and circumstances — follow their personalised advice.
💰 Is the shingles vaccine free for me?
Free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for certain groups. Select one:
↑ Select your situation to see what’s funded.
Free on the NIP. A 2-dose course of Shingrix, given 2–6 months apart. Available from your GP, many pharmacies, or an Aboriginal Medical Service. The vaccine itself is free, though the provider may charge a consultation fee for the visit.
Free on the NIP for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over. A 2-dose course of Shingrix, 2–6 months apart. Ask your GP, Aboriginal Medical Service, or pharmacist.
Free on the NIP if you are 18 or over with a specified immunocompromising condition or treatment. The funded list of conditions is set out in the Australian Immunisation Handbook. For immunocompromised people the 2 doses are given 1–2 months apart. Your GP can confirm whether your condition is on the funded list.
Shingrix is registered for people aged 50 and over, but it’s not NIP-funded for you unless you’re in a funded group. You can still get it on a private prescription at full cost — prices vary, so ask your GP or pharmacy. Your GP can advise whether it’s worthwhile for you now.
You can still have Shingrix — it’s a different, longer-lasting vaccine. If your Zostavax was free under the NIP, free Shingrix becomes available 5 years after that dose. If you paid for Zostavax privately, you can get free Shingrix (if otherwise eligible) after waiting at least 12 months. Your GP can check your record and timing.
What is shingles?
Shingles is a painful, blistering rash caused by the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster) reactivating later in life. About 1 in 3 people will get shingles at some point. It can lead to long-lasting nerve pain (post-herpetic neuralgia) and, less often, more serious complications. Risk rises with age and with a weakened immune system.
💉 Who gets it free under the NIP
✅ Non-Indigenous Australians aged 65 and over — 2 doses
✅ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over — 2 doses
✅ People aged 18 and over with a specified immunocompromising condition — 2 doses (1–2 months apart)
Shingrix is the only shingles vaccine on the NIP (Zostavax was deregistered in December 2024).
💰 What does it cost?
Free for eligible groups under the NIP — though your provider may charge a consultation fee for the visit, so it’s worth asking when you book. If you’re not eligible for free vaccine, Shingrix is available on a private prescription; the price varies between providers, so ask your GP or pharmacy for a current quote.
What to expect
The 2-dose schedule
Two doses, given by injection into the upper arm. Most people have them 2 to 6 months apart; people who are immunocompromised have them 1 to 2 months apart. If more than 6 months pass after the first dose, just get the second dose as soon as you can — you don’t restart the course.
How well does it work?
Shingrix is more than 90% protective against shingles over a 3-year period in people aged 50 and over, and lasts longer than the older Zostavax vaccine. No annual booster is currently recommended.
Common side effects
Around half of people have no side effects. The most common are a sore arm at the injection site, tiredness, muscle or joint aches and headache. These are usually mild and settle within a couple of days. Talk to your provider about any reactions that worry you.
Common questions
Yes — you can get shingles more than once, so vaccination is still recommended. It’s usually given at least 12 months after an episode of shingles (people who are immunocompromised may be able to have it sooner — discuss with your GP).
No. Shingrix is a one-off 2-dose course. There is no annual booster recommended.
It can be given with most other vaccines, including flu and pneumococcal. Some people prefer to have it on its own to reduce the chance of overlapping mild reactions. Your GP or pharmacist can advise on timing.
Your GP can check your immunisation history on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), or you can view it yourself through your Medicare online account or the Medicare app.