Affordability impacts shingles vaccine decisions
On behalf of GSK, Ipsos conducted an online survey in 2025 with New Zealanders aged 50 who matched various screening criteria (referenced in technical note below) and chose to take part. Results show that cost is a key barrier to people getting a shingles vaccination, with 50% of those not vaccinated and unlikely to get vaccinated against shingles strongly agreeing that the vaccine being too expensive impacted their decision.
The research also demonstrated that Kiwis understand the need for vaccination but do not believe the current funding programme is adequate. While 70% of respondents aware of a shingles vaccine stated that all people over 65 should get vaccinated for shingles, only 30% felt that the vaccination is reimbursed well.
Technical note
On behalf of GSK, Ipsos conducted an online survey among 250 participants in New Zealand who chose to take part in the survey (aged 50 years and above) between June-July 2025. All participants who did not report their age were screened out of the survey. Participants were all screened for earning a minimum level of household income per month to be eligible to participate in the survey (*see below), all participants who did not report their income were screened out of the survey. Participants were included only if they had heard of shingles and open to vaccinations that help infectious diseases. All participants do not work in or have a close family member who works in either market research or the pharmaceutical industry.
* Minimum household income per month, from all sources after tax and other deductibles by age:
· 50 – 59: 4000 NZD
60+: 3200 NZD
