THIS Shingles Awareness Week (26 Feb to 3 Mar), new research sheds light on Australians' limited understanding of shingles, highlighting an important opportunity for healthcare professionals to dispel common misconceptions.
Knowledge gaps and misconceptions held by Australians about the cause, signs, symptoms and impact of the disease have been identified through two recent surveys: a GSK Australia survey and a GSK global Misconceptions Survey.
Many Australians incorrectly believe that having had chickenpox earlier and leading a healthy lifestyle results in a low risk of shingles, uncovered the survey (PD 03 Oct 2023).
GSK's Shingrix (Recombinant Varicella Zoster Virus glycoprotein E antigen (AS01B adjuvanted vaccine)) was listed on the National Immunisation Program for the prevention of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in Australia on 01 Nov 2023.
Over 487,000 doses of Shingrix have already been administered to eligible patients in the first three months of the program.
Across Australia, there are approximately half a million doses of Shingrix available to be administered, with more due to come.
For more information about shingles, CLICK HERE.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 28 Feb 24
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