TV host's shingles nightmare could have been prevented—and yours can be too

Like many busy women in their fifties, comedian Julia Morris was juggling it all. Between filming House Husbands, raising two teenage daughters, and constant travel for work, the four-time Gold Logie nominee barely had time to think about her health.

Then came that telling tingle across her torso—a warning sign she'd later wish she'd taken seriously.

Morris was struck down with shingles five years ago at the peak of her career, and the experience was far more devastating than she'd ever imagined.

'I thought I'm not old enough to get that—it sounds like something an old person got when I was a kid,' the 57-year-old recently said.

What Morris didn't know then—and what many Australian seniors still don't realise—is that almost one in three Australians will get shingles in their lifetime.

Even more concerning, less than half of people in their 70s are protected despite a breakthrough vaccine now being available for free.

When your body betrays you

The initial tingle Morris felt quickly escalated into something far more serious. Shingrix provides around 10 years of protection and usually costs up to $560, but back then, Morris had no idea prevention was even possible.

'They had to get a nurse on set and we still had two weeks to shoot,' Morris recalled. 'The physical toll was immediate and overwhelming—I had a red rash across my torso, an aching body and the most brutal headache.'

The reality hit hard. 'I was immobile, I could barely get to the shower and get back to bed. Some days I had to be lifted into the make-up chair on set, other days they would just put the make-up on while I was still in bed.'

The hidden epidemic among Australian seniors

Morris's experience reflects a troubling reality across Australia. Herpes zoster can occur at any age but most commonly affects the elderly population, with shingles affecting an estimated 100,000 Australians every year.

The numbers become more alarming when you consider the complications. About 20 percent of patients with herpes zoster develop postherpetic neuralgia.

The most established risk factor is age; this complication occurs nearly 15 times more often in patients more than 50 years of age.

Pain may persist for months or even years, and this postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common and debilitating complication of HZ.

For many Australian seniors, this chronic nerve pain becomes a life-altering condition that affects sleep, mood, work, and daily activities.

The complications that keep doctors worried

For Australians 65 and over, the likelihood of complications from shingles is notably higher.

These complications can include post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a condition where severe nerve pain persists even after the rash has healed, as well as potential issues including pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, or swelling of the brain.

Morris was fortunate. She was diagnosed early and experienced no long-term effects, but she lives with the constant fear that shingles might return.

While recurrence is rare, it's not impossible—and for many Australian seniors, the first bout isn't so kind.

The pain from postherpetic neuralgia can be very severe and debilitating. Affected individuals often experience a decrease in their quality of life.

Unlike the temporary discomfort of the initial rash, this nerve pain can persist for months or even years, turning daily activities into painful ordeals.

The game-changer hiding in plain sight

Here's the part of the story that might surprise you: there's now excellent protection available, and it won't cost you a cent if you're eligible.

From 1 November, older Australians will have free access to the best protection against shingles through one of the most comprehensive and widely available vaccination programs in the world.

The Australian Government invested $826.8 million to provide almost five million people who are at risk of severe disease from shingles with a free Shingrix vaccine under the National Immunisation Program.

This represents one of the most significant health investments specifically targeting senior health in recent years.

Shingles vaccination is the only way for adults to be protected against both shingles and postherpetic neuralgia, with the vaccine Shingrix providing 90 per cent protection from postherpetic neuralgia.

The concerning reality of low uptake

Despite this remarkable opportunity, Grattan Institute research has shown that the uptake of shingles vaccines across Australia is troublingly low, with less than half of people in their 70s protected.

Even more concerning, in some areas, the gap between the best and worst-performing GPs is enormous, with top-performing doctors vaccinating 59 percent of eligible patients while others vaccinate only 15 percent.

Over 1.3 million Australians have received a free shingles vaccine since the Albanese Government commenced the new Shingles Program on 1 November 2023 - a promising start, but still leaving millions of eligible Australians unprotected.

The reasons for low uptake vary, but many seniors simply don't know they're eligible, don't understand the severity of shingles complications, or assume they're 'too old' for vaccination to be worthwhile.

Taking action: what Julia wants you to know

Morris has become a passionate advocate for shingles awareness since her experience.

In October, she unveiled a public installation at Sydney's Circular Quay featuring 97 suitcases—representing the 97 percent of Australians over 40 carrying the dormant virus that causes shingles.

'Years on, my experience with shingles remains etched in my memory,' Morris said.

'I wish I had known the risks sooner.'

Her message resonates particularly with Australian seniors navigating what she calls '50s and beyond' - a time when medical appointments become more frequent and understanding your health baseline becomes crucial.

'My girls are grown up now and they're always reminding me to make my medical appointments,' Morris shared. 'They have been an amazing support.'

Your health, your choice

Morris's experience serves as a powerful reminder that shingles doesn't discriminate based on how busy, successful, or healthy you think you are.

The virus lies dormant in nearly all Australian adults who had chickenpox as children, waiting for the right moment when immunity naturally declines with age.

The difference between Morris's generation and yours is that you have a choice she didn't—access to highly effective, free prevention that can spare you months of debilitating pain and potentially life-altering complications.

The recombinant zoster vaccine Shingrix has been shown in clinical trials to have excellent efficacy and provides long-lasting protection even in those with weaker immunity such as the very old.

Health disclaimer: This information is general in nature and should not replace professional medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider about whether shingles vaccination is appropriate for your individual circumstances.

Have you had the shingles vaccination, or are you planning to get it after reading about Julia's experience? We'd love to hear your thoughts and any questions you might have about protecting yourself from this painful condition.