The risk of shingles in Australia has doubled between 2000 and 2010.Shingles will often cause a painful, debilitating illness with extensive skin lesions, and the possibility of long term nerve damage. About 30% of people with shingles develop Post herpetic neuralgia, defined as significant pain lasting more than 3 months after shingles.
The shingles vaccine has been recommended by Australian Immunisation authorities since 2009, but the vaccine has rarely been available, so we did not promote it until now, when it is readily available.