The report was published by the Australian Govt in 2018. It provides hard data on the incidence and consequences, qualified per the text. Data always lags real time.
What does that have to do with the data in the report. It is not about any particular vaccine. It puts the rate of infection, hospitalisation and death rate into context. It’s a good base line to compare the current program against.
If you have any more recent data on the vaccination rates, hospitalisations etc, that would be useful.
According to GSK the vaccine will be available in Autumn of this year (2021), it however will only be available by private script and GSK will not currently be looking to add it to the PBS system. This news was current as at 9 Nov 2020.
We will be getting Shingrix by private script (just like did private script for old Zostavax when it was ‘new’)
Hopefully “August in 2021” is southern hemisphere August.
It is over seventies who get little protection from the old Zostavqx because it is less effective in older people, and its protection wanes significantly in time after vacination.
Any justification to keep old Zostavax on the NIP list can also be used to replace it on the NIP list with Shingrix.
I had the Zostavax, at 51% efficacy, when it was available at no cost from the Federal Government, and when Shingrix at 90% efficacy becomes available later this year, I will be more than happy to pay for it myself, since it wont be on the PBS, as I believe it is worth it.
Zostavax, our ‘standard’ and free via Medicare for over 70’s is no longer available in the US market (from November 2020). It was replaced by Shingrix.
I have no intention to start a debate on the quality or efficacy of vaccines as happened in the COVID topic, just to put out what is available and how they compare.
Note the US CDC feels the need to include 'how do I pay for it?’ reflecting the for-profit US medical system and potential avenues for assistance; a segment of Americans will fall into the ‘so sad too bad, no money, no assistance, no vaccine’ basket.
Being a chickenpox ‘survivor’ and having a number of friends who had shingles, some severe, even though I had Zostavax I just got my first Shingrix injection. Not cheap at $281.38 (each dose, today’s price, Chemist Warehouse) with a bit back from my private health fund. I discovered most chemists need to order it in and those who have any typically have single doses in their fridges. It is new here, it is expensive, there is a free alternative most receive, it is not a widely known vaccine yet so local demand is an unknown re inventory control.
Will (when) Shingrix get on PBS with or replace Zostavax? Medicare and PBS funding is allocated to provide the best outcomes for the most Australians.
I too had Zostavax in the past (private script) and have had my first Shingrix injection (private script). Second one is recommended to be between two and six months after first, going to ask my GP for advice on that as it seems like quite a difference between 2 and 6.
Avoiding the agonies that family members have gone through with shingles is the incentive for me.
WOW! Lets me out, just cant afford that. Lets hope it ends up on the PBS. I haven’t had a Zostavax, did not even know I was eligible as my GP at the time was completely disinterested in… well… anything… Would it be worth getting Zostavax whilst waiting for Shingrix to appear?
I was a little surprised at it not being raised by my partners GP given her recent birthday. The GP surgery and mine are not backward at drumming up business for other age related concerns.
Not to play down the consequences of severe shingles, is a severe infection so uncommon most GPs are not that concerned?
P.S. NZ has some similar recommendations and vaccine data. Their handbook is a 2020 version.
A shingles vaccine called Zostavax is no longer available for use in the United States, as of November 18, 2020. If you had Zostavax in the past, you should still get Shingrix. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine the best time to get Shingrix.
I have no intention to start a debate on the quality or efficacy of vaccines as happened in the COVID topic, just to put out what is available and how they compare.
Shingrix is already available, so no need to wait. It is a two jab vaccine (jabs 2 to 6 months apart)
I have had my first Shingrix and next week I’ll have my second one. My local pharmacy had no problems ordering it in.
It was quite a while back I called the Pharmacy company who makes Shingrix. Demand was super high in the US and as it is a 2 shot dosage they just didn’t have enough to export supplies ( or maybe not at the cost our government was/is prepared to pay)
