# Specialist pain doctors call for free shingles vaccine

> Pain specialists urge free shingles vaccine for New Zealanders over 65.
- Title: Specialist pain doctors call for free shingles vaccine · RNZ
- Summary: Pain specialists urge free shingles vaccine for New Zealanders over 65. New Zealand pain specialists demand government make shingles vaccine free for all…
- Keywords: shingles vaccine, pain specialists, new zealand, over 65, health policy, pharmac, politics, news, Specialist, pain, doctors, call
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/health/1749344/specialist-pain-doctors-call-for-free-shingles-vaccine-for-over-65s
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-06T01:27:29+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: shingles vaccine, pain specialists, new zealand, over 65, health policy, pharmac, politics, news
## Shingles vaccine cost issue
Specialist pain doctors call for free shingles vaccine for everyone over 65 in New Zealand.
## Current vaccine access
Health NZ recommends two-shot vaccine for over 50s but it costs up to $800 if not taken at age 65.
## Chronic pain risk
One in three people get shingles, rising to one in two over 85, with up to a third developing chronic nerve pain.
## Treatment challenges
Chronic nerve pain is hard to treat with medicines that cause sedation and dizziness, risking falls and loss of independence.

> Once post-herpetic neuralgia develops, it can be extremely difficult to treat
## Prevention benefits
Preventing chronic pain reduces pressure on GPs and pain management services for older New Zealanders.
## Australia's approach
Australia funds shingles vaccine for everyone over 65, contrasting New Zealand's current cost barriers.
## Key takeaway

New Zealand pain specialists demand government make shingles vaccine free for all over 65 to prevent chronic nerve pain.