23/02/2025
This week is Shingles Awareness Week
THE SHINGLES VACCINE IS FUNDED
The shingles vaccine (Zostavax) protects against herpes zoster (shingles) infection. Shingles is a painful, itchy skin rash that usually appears around your chest and back but can affect your legs or face. It appears on only one side of your body.
About one-third of people will develop shingles in their lifetime, and 50% will develop shingles by the time they reach age 85.
While shingles can get better on its own, the most common complication occurring in up to 3 in every ten people with shingles is pain that goes on after the shingles rash has cleared. This complication is called post-herpetic neuralgia (or nerve pain). Having the shingles vaccine can help prevent shingles and reduce the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia.
In New Zealand, there is funding for the shingles vaccine for people aged 65 years. (This only applies for the one year of being 65 years old)
Please talk to your health professional or one of our pharmacy staff to organise your shingles vaccination. Bookings preferred on our website, but we will try to accommodate walk-ins if we can.
