If you are addressing me; no, it wasn’t my decision and I am not qualified. If you want to know how and why the PBS do it they go into considerable detail.
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It was your unattributed statement as you originally posted but thanks for clarifying by including the relevant text.
Reading through the linked document is revealing in many ways but especially the redactions of costs/prices. On that basis there seems much commercial-in-confidence information that was taken at face value, no negotiations required, or possibly after a negotiation yet the public posture remains
I’ll add once again the US FDA came to a different conclusion and as previously posted removed Zostavax from the US market, replaced by Shingrix. Australia sees one thing, the US the other.
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Perhaps the forum software is playing tricks but the extract and the link were both there in my post from the start.
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Apologies all, it must have been a premonition! PBAC published the following exciting news today!
The PBAC recommended that varicella virus recombinant vaccine (RZV, Shingrix®) be a designated vaccine for the purposes of the National Health Act 1953, for the prevention of HZ and post-herpetic neuralgia. The PBAC considered the range of incremental cost effectiveness ratios presented in the resubmission were acceptable at the price requested in the resubmission for non-Indigenous individuals aged 70 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals aged ≥ 50 years and immunocompromised individuals aged ≥ 18 years with conditions at ‘high risk’ of HZ infection [as advised by Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)].
The PBAC deferred a decision for the broader population of immunocompromised individuals aged ≥ 18 years at increased risk of HZ infection to seek further ATAGI advice on the appropriate definition of this population. The PBAC considered there was likely to be a broader population of immunocompromised individuals aged ≥ 18 years at increased risk of HZ for whom RVZ was cost effective, but this population had not yet been clearly defined.
The PBAC did not recommend RZV for non-Indigenous individuals aged 65 to 69 years and individuals
aged ≥ 71 years. The PBAC noted that these populations were of lower clinical priority and represented a high volume of doses. In the context of the total cost, the PBAC considered the extent of uncertainty regarding the cost-effectiveness of RZV in these populations to be too high.
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So get it when you are 70 and don’t miss the boat! ATAGI will have a say in it, something other than Covid-19 boosters for them to consider 
! Let’s also hope that there is no global shortage so you can get both doses in that 12 month period!
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Tim, thanks for your feedback re my post. Apologies for the delay in replying.
I believe you are partly correct and I am party incorrect.
So I will explain again.
I spoke with the tropical diseases specialist. I was handed a script for Stromectol. Then I went to the Hospital Pharmacy handed over the script and went for a coffee. Returning for collection I received the 2 IV vaccines, Shingrix and Prevenar. Luckily I photographed the packs. $30 each dose. No Stromectol. Pharmacist (not the original Pharmacist with whom I dropped the script). Naturally I asked for the Stromectol and more info about the 2 x vaccines.
I returned to my specialist clinic looking for the Dr who gave me the script. Only the receptionist remained. Nobody could explain the vaccines which had never been discussed.
I returned to the Pharmacy and recieved the Stromectol. Back to the specialist clinic and the receptionist had a message from my nurse telling me to have the vaccines administered.
A trainee nurse and a RN prepared the vaccines and, as I usually do peppered and pestered for more info. The RN was focussed on the trainee rather than answering my q’s.
I had been previously cautioned that my curiosity about the symptoms and next steps in my case was taking up valuable time. Despite the fact that I was seeing a different specialist each time and their information was repetitive.
On another occasion I was cautioned by a specialist that I need not attempt to convince him that I did not have an umbilical hernia. He was convinced that I did have a hernia. Turns out that the imobilizing pain I had was being caused by a twisted bowell, not a hernia.
Ive been tempted into venting about hospital care but I also garuntee that the SHINGRIX was actually $30 and I was granted a further discount off that price. Im not yet 70 yo.
Sj2, I hope you have recovered well from your surgical problem.
I am pleased to hear that your intramuscular Shingrix vaccine only cost you $30. You have done well. The hospital may have borne the rest of the cost. Hopefully the second dose will cost you the same, or possibly be free if you turn 70 after shortly (see below). My 2 Shingrix injections cost me $250 each although I recovered just over half of the cost from the Medical Extras cover of my health fund.
I found the same information regarding the restrictions on the availability of Shingrix on Services Australia website, accurate as of 9/5/23. The initiative is said to start on 1/9/23. It looks as though unvaccinated people over 70 will need to pay for their own Shingrix although the less effective Zostavax vaccine catch up program is said to be available till 31/10/23 for those in the 71 to 79 age-group who have no contra-indications to it. Fortunately, Shingrix will be available to some people as in Informedatlast’s entry above.
Very good. Too late for me, I’ve had Zostavax. Wish this had been available back then Take it, if you can get it
Depending on the rules imposed for being funded, clinicly one who has had Zostavax can have Shingrix with general advice from memory being to wait 2 years. I had both 3 years apart, being fortunate to be able to pay for the Shingrix at the time; some private health funds will pay part of it when not covered by the NIP/Medicare.
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Oooh. Might have to ask y GP then. Its been 2 years, I was 71
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Please post the recommended time when you see your GP. I might be confused and it may be longer, but I am confident it is not shorter.
Will do. I’m going in for a flu shot next Wed, its a “clinic” at the GP practice, but I may get a chance to ask. or perhaps the Nurse will know.
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I have the script and will hold it to September. I would have paid full whack two weeks ago but got crook and went on antibiotics. The was the end of that for a week or two.
Fortunate me.
(edited) I would seek medical advice as the company would not have studied the exact optimal time to have follow-up Shingrix post Zostavax. I suspect the answer might be to space out the Shingrix depending on your risk with a shorter time for those likely to be very susceptible.
Zostavax is a single shot, Shingrix is 2.
There is guidance. From the USA where it is mostly customer pays -
From Australia (see #25)
For completeness from NZ - noting Zostavax seems to have been taken off their market as it was in the USA.
I suggest there is a strong message supporting Shingrix in comparison to Zostavax.
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For all you interested folk out there. The existing script is binned. I go to the GP in September and get a new one. Happy days and good luck!
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One of the many good things about Shingrix is that you can have it even if you have already had Zostavax.
Another good thing about Shingrix is that you can have it if you have already had one or more bouts of shingles (need a six month gap since last outbreak).
Two doses of Shingrix is the norm for people who have had Zostavax previously. I’ve had both types.
Number of Shingrix (HZ/su) doses has been studied (two doses each of 0.5 mL, the second dose given two to six months after the first dose).
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has been looking at Shingrix since at least 2017.
2018 public summary document for PBAC meeting includes comparison of Shingrix to Zostavax when it was mooted that there be an NIP listing for the recombinant varicella zoster virus glycoprotein E antigen (AS01B adjuvnted) vaccine at 60 years (with a five year catch-up program), for the prevention of herpes zoster (HZ) and post-herpetic neuralgia.
