The Northern Territory (NT) Immunisation Schedules have been updated to reflect the introduction of the shingles vaccine Shingrix® to the National Immunisation Program from 1 November 2023. Shingrix® will replace the previous shingles vaccine Zostavax®. This is an ongoing immunisation program funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), initially, there will be limits on order quantities to ensure equitable access for all vaccine service providers with more stock arriving in 2024.

Pharmacies will distribute Shingrix® after 1 November 2023.

Eligibility for funded Shingrix® vaccine 

  1. All people aged 65 years and over

  2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over

  3. Immunocompromised people aged 18 years and over with medical conditions including:

  4. ohaematopoietic stem cell transplant

  5. osolid organ transplant

  6. ohaematological malignancy

  7. oadvanced or untreated HIV

Shingrix® vaccine Shingles vaccine program:

  1. is safe and highly effective in preventing shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia

  2. is a non-live vaccine so it can be given to immunocompromised people aged 18 years and over

  3. is a two-dose course given two to six months apart

  4. people who have already received a funded Zostavax® vaccine should wait at least five years before receiving a funded Shingrix® vaccine

  5. can be given at least 12 months after an episode of shingles infection (at least three months after shingles infection if severely immunocompromised)

 

Information for providers - https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-10/national-immunisation-program-shingles-program-advice-for-vaccination-providers.pdf

For more information, you can email [email protected], or contact the RAHC clinical team.