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Free Shingles Vaccine for 65 Year Olds (No Older, No Younger) - Normally $600-$800 @ Health.govt.nz

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Free Shingles Vaccine for 65 Year Olds (No Older, No Younger) - Normally $600-$800 @ Health.govt.nz
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beatthatflight on 04/09/2026 - 20:51 healthnz.govt.nz (317 clicks)

Think chickenpox sucked? Imagine it coming back as something much worse - shingles.

Anyway, not that I'm anywhere near this age yet but I have relatives who have passed this (and had shingles) and I only today learned - the vaccine is free in NZ - BUT ONLY FOR 65 YEAR OLDS!

Summary: Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix) in Aotearoa New Zealand

Source: Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Overview
  • Vaccine Used: Shingrix (recombinant, non-live adjuvanted subunit vaccine). It replaced the older Zostavax vaccine in New Zealand.
  • Purpose: Protects against shingles (herpes zoster)—a painful, blistering rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus—and cuts down the risk of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN), a severe, long-term nerve pain complication.
  • Effectiveness: Over 90% effective at preventing shingles and PHN in adults aged 50 and over, maintaining strong protection for 7–10 years.
  • Dose Schedule: Requires 2 doses administered via intramuscular injection (typically into the upper arm), ideally spaced 2 to 6 months apart.
Funding & Eligibility in New Zealand
1. Fully Funded Groups

The Shingrix vaccine is fully funded for:#

* Adults aged exactly 65 years: <————————————————- THIS!!!
  • Must receive the first dose while 65 years old.
  • As long as the first dose is given at age 65, the second dose remains fully funded even if administered after turning 66.
    • Immunocompromised adults (aged 18 and older):
  • Certain high-risk groups (e.g., people undergoing solid organ or stem cell transplants, haematological malignancies, poorly controlled HIV, or specific disease-modifying therapies).
2. Unfunded (Self-Funded) Options
  • Recommended for adults aged 50+ and individuals aged 18+ at higher risk of shingles who do not meet the strict government funding criteria.
  • Unfunded vaccines can be purchased privately through GPs or pharmacies (costs vary by provider).
Safety & Common Side Effects

Because Shingrix is a non-live vaccine, it is safe for individuals with weakened immune systems.

Common Mild Side Effects (1–3 days duration):
  • Injection-site reactions: Pain, redness, or swelling.
  • Systemic symptoms: Fatigue, muscle aches (myalgia), headache, chills/shivering, mild fever, or stomach discomfort (nausea).
Precautions:
  • Severe Allergies: Should not be given to anyone with a history of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine.
  • Acute Illness: Vaccination should be briefly postponed if you currently have a high fever (over 38°C). Minor illnesses like a cold do not require delaying the vaccine.
Health & Beauty Vaccination

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Comments

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  • Arsonist on 04/09/2026 - 20:59

    !remindme 27 years

    • 13
    • TruthMaySting on 05/09/2026 - 01:01

      Can you please elaborate on who they are?

      • 1
    • worldrocket on 04/09/2026 - 22:45

      Thats terrible luck. Might be worth paying for the vaccine, studies have shown it massively reduces your chance of dementia and Alzheimers.

      • 5
    • Rowjo on 05/09/2026 - 00:06

      capsaicin cream is availabe for over the counter purchase at pharmacies - worth a try.
      However im sure if youve ever talked to your doctor about it they will have prescribed it for you to try
      Plenty of tablet options with varying side effects and drowsiness too that can be trialled

      • 0
      • quote on 05/09/2026 - 06:51

        Those options are for the pain when it happens which the only way to describe is super sensitive like ya nerves have been dialed up to 100 for a few weeks, but after that the skin now feels like its lost Those sensitive touch nerves (feels like i have 1cm deep of leather) but deep under that is a constant ache. Dr says it dsnt fit normal shingles pain so those other options arent valid. Just glad it was on my back and not my neck or face like some people get

        • 0
          • Jaxson on 06/09/2026 - 23:25

            @Vic: This is a shingles vaccine deal for 65year old candidates. Please keep comments related to that.

            • 0
          • Mykey on 07/09/2026 - 21:23

            @Vic: I assume he got downvoted for talking about his experienced side effects from the covid vaccine in a thread about the shingles vaccine.

            • 0
      • Mykey on 05/09/2026 - 13:12

        The 'deal' is for the shingles vaccine. Why are you posting a video that is about the covid vaccine?

        • 6
        • TruthMaySting on 05/09/2026 - 14:34

          Right…shingles!

          Here is the video regarding Shingles, or how not to activate it.

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4ghFFE2Czc

          Have a great day.

          • -2
          • Kiwi on 05/09/2026 - 15:00

            @TruthMaySting: Was it you who just wrote "follow the money trial (sic)"?

            Keep following: "Just so you know, my full line of high-quality supplements is available on Amazon — search Dr. Berg Supplements".

            • 1
            • TruthMaySting on 05/09/2026 - 17:09

              @Kiwi: Sure he sells quality products, nothing dodgy about that.
              Having 14 million subscribers speaks volumes about his integrity and effectiveness - I am not one and has no skin in the game, although a healthy kiwi is a win win for all kiwis, wouldn’t you agree?

              Search any ailments, watch a relevant video, then see for yourself if it works.

              • -2
  • roshanNZ on 05/09/2026 - 02:46

    I got shingles recently. It was a rash on the right side of the neck. Went to the doc 3 days after the rash appeared for a totally different issue. He took one look at it and said it was shingles. Gave me 5 day dose of antivirals and took some sample for testing. The lab report confirmed it 2 days later. I took 5 day dose, was a bit feverish for few days, isolated in a separate room from the family for 2 weeks. Got better, the scar on the neck remains.

    The long and short is that getting started on antivirals within the first 2-3 days maximizes the chances of stopping the spread and getting better quickly. So yeah, take care folks. It can happen to anyone. The doc said that stress can trigger the virus.

    • 2
    • Savy101 on 05/09/2026 - 09:24

      Mate had it at 21
      Said it was close to childbirth pain but longer
      No medication at the time

      • 0
  • Jaxson on 05/09/2026 - 04:18

    Anyone have a free shipping code?

    • 1
  • dealhunter on 05/09/2026 - 05:31

    If this is a deal, then any free healthcare (that NZers take for granted) is deal.

    Actually the problem here is that pharmac needs to fund it for more than just 65 years olds. Same with the flu vaccine that they've only just funded for under 5s, after its overrun all our hospitals.

    • 4
  • Patrick on 05/09/2026 - 08:03

    There’s been research recently saying that having this vaccine at age 50 (or above) can significantly reduce your chance of getting dementia.

    NZ health can’t afford to give it to everyone which is why there is the bizarre age restriction. Australia spends a lot more on medicines and gives to everyone 65 and over.

    Chemist Warehouse do the vaccination - they’re the cheapest I’ve found so far at $680.

    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260823015013.h…

    • 1
    • 1cheapo on 05/09/2026 - 08:35

      In Australia people pay for their meds too so they look after their health and don't want to be on meds, when its free or only $5 here per med people take their health for granted. It could explain why the govt in Aus can afford to do that.

      • -3
    • Vic on 05/09/2026 - 10:48

      Study funded by GlaxoSmithKline, of course they're going to skew the results in their favour just as they always have.

      • 0
      • TruthMaySting on 05/09/2026 - 14:42

        Wise words (to follow the money trial) and always verify. That is why I trust double blind testings and peer reviewed papers.

        • 0
    • Mykey on 05/09/2026 - 10:34

      Why wouldn't they if they qualify? It sounds like getting shingles is something well worth avoiding.

      • 9
  • kiwical on 05/09/2026 - 11:41

    My case was on my face, in my mouth, and came close to my eye. Dr was concerned coz if it goes there it can cause blindness. Nerve damage still there 4-5 years later I've lost tastebuds on one side of my tongue, still itchy sometimes, still numb.

    All my older family paid for the vaccine after that. I tell everyone 50+ I meet to get the vaccine at cost. And it's a no brainer at 65.

    • 5
    • Ppepsisi on 05/09/2026 - 13:17

      Same story here. I know a person that got shingles around the eye and they got partial blindess? Damaged eye sight? from what i remember. It's permanent too

      Go to doctors and seek treatment asap when you get shingles esp around the face. Pain is one thing but long term complications are what you wanna watch out for

      • 0
  • Ppepsisi on 05/09/2026 - 13:21

    From what I've seen, the side effect from the vaccines are bit stroger than flu vaccines.

    Family members had worse body ache and worse fever when they got the vaccines so take the few days slow when you get them :)

    • 0
    • ABCDEFG on 05/09/2026 - 18:26

      I was the same. I've had quite a few more vaccinations than the average person and the first dose of the shingles vaccine kicked my ass pretty thoroughly the following day. But it depends highly on the individual. I've got a couple of family members who got it and had no side effects at all. Regardless, I think getting on a Friday so you've got the weekend to recover if necessary is a pretty good plan.

      • 3
  • nzmax on 06/09/2026 - 14:14

    It needs to be an election policy of one of the parties that all NZers o over 50 get it funded.

    • 3
    • Alan6984 on 06/09/2026 - 16:57

      It needs to be an election policy of one of the parties that all NZers o over 50 get it funded.

      Out of interest, how much would that cost the MoH, and how much of that would be transferred from voluntary / able to pay people to free?

      • 0
      • nzmax on 06/09/2026 - 20:17

        It would likely cost far more in health costs and lost productivity than the vaccine actually costs. Plus then there is the risk of life long blindness and pain. Especially as it affects 1 in 3 apparently . Especially as the government can get bulk buying discounts. Compare it to the cost of capping public transport at $20
        A week which will have a direct cost of many thousands just for a single Individual.

        • 2
        • Alan6984 on 07/09/2026 - 17:44

          Hard to see the Greens or Labour supporting this - they would view it as welfare for the rich.

          • 0
          • nzmax on 09/09/2026 - 15:17

            @Alan6984: I suppose they focus on the student and younger vote. But one could say super is also welfare for the rich as even billionaires are entitled to it. But many people that end up getting bad cases of shingles are those that are not well off. But the problem is that the shingles vaccine is very expensive and the government could get better buying power to bring the cost down. Really they should be about prevention rather than treatment after the problem occurs. But NZ is an ambulence at the bottom of the cliff type of country.

            • 2
  • Patrick on 07/09/2026 - 17:12

    Another study (British this time) showing the vaccine lowers heart attack and stroke risk.
    https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/aug/26/shingles-vac…

    • 5
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