25/08/2026
Greetings To Our Community,
Sharing this information as Shingles can be prevented.
Key Points About Shingles - Shingles is a painful blistery rash caused by the same virus that causes Chickenpox. If you've had chickenpox, the virus 'hides out' in nerve cells where it stays in an inactive state. Shingles develops if the virus becomes active again, usually many years later. The fluid in shingles is infectious and can cause chickenpox if you haven't had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it.
One in three people will get Shingles in their lifetime. Shingles can be very painful and your risk of getting it increases as you get older. The most serious complications are nerve pain that can last for months or years and eye problems that can result in the loss of vision.
In New Zealand, the shingles vaccine is free for people 65 years of age. As long as you receive your first dose when your 65, your second dose will also be free. Ideally, your second dose is 2 to 6 months after your first dose, but if its longer than 6 months, it will still be free. There is further eligibility criteria available for immunocompromised patients.
Shingrix is a vaccine that can prevent you from getting Shingles, and if you do get it, this vaccine can prevent you from complications of shingles.
