SearchMenu

Julia Morris shares her shingles experience to highlight ‘hidden health baggage’ carried by almost all Australians

  • 97% of Australians over 40 already carry the virus (varicella zoster virus) that causes shingles from a previous chickenpox infection.1-3
  • Australian comedian and TV host, Julia Morris, shares her personal experience of shingles for the very first time. As the latest shingles ambassador, Julia will unveil a public installation at Sydney’s Circular Quay that highlights the reality of shingles risk.
  • New research* commissioned by GSK Australia reveals while most Australians aged 50-69 are aware that shingles can be serious, many underestimate their own risk.4 

 

Australian comedian and TV host, Julia Morris, has revealed her personal experience with shingles for the first time, as she seeks to educate Australians on the “hidden health baggage” carried by almost all of us.

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox earlier in life, which 97% of Australians over 40 already carry.1-3 As the immune system naturally weakens with age, the dormant virus can reactivate and present as shingles.5 It is a common disease estimated to affect more than 100,000 Australians every year.6

New research*, commissioned by GSK Australia, reveals that while most Australians aged 50-69 are aware of shingles risk factors and potential impact, many underestimate their own risk.4 While the majority recognise shingles can cause a potentially painful rash (80%) and longer-term complications such as nerve pain (79%), less than half (43%) worry that shingles may potentially disrupt their life and almost a quarter (24%) do not believe it is their responsibility to speak to a doctor about shingles.4 Notably, one in three (33%) respondents are not aware that shingles is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus.4

Following her own experience with the condition, Julia Morris is urging Australians aged 50 and over to understand and take action on a real personal risk. Julia is unveiling a public installation called ‘What’s Your Hidden Health Baggage?’ at Sydney’s Circular Quay on Tuesday 14 October, 2025. The installation features 97 bags, representing the 97% of Australians over 40 who already carry the chickenpox virus and are at risk of developing shingles.1-3

“When shingles hit me, I was in the middle of one of the busiest times of my career. The physical toll was immediate and overwhelming — I had a red rash across my torso, an aching body and the most brutal headache,” said Ms Morris.

“I could barely get through a day without collapsing back into bed. Even simple tasks like having a shower left me exhausted and I was completely debilitated for weeks. Shingles wasn’t just painful; it completely altered how I lived and worked.” she said.

Shingles affects everyone differently; however, it typically produces a painful, blistering rash that usually lasts 1-2 weeks and complications can extend beyond the initial rash and pain.1,2

Monika Boogs, Chief Executive Officer, Painaustralia, says the impact of shingles is often underestimated.

“Too often, shingles is thought of as ‘just a rash’, when in reality, it can be painful and debilitating. Beyond the visible symptoms, it can disrupt sleep, mood, work and daily activities and potentially affect quality of life. For some people, it can also lead to long-term issues including chronic nerve pain,” said Ms Boogs. 

Leading expert, Dr Timothy Tan, Cardiologist and Professor at Western Sydney University, says that while awareness of shingles is growing, it is important for Australians over 50 to take the time to seriously consider their personal risk.

“Almost all Australians have had chickenpox at some stage in life. The virus never really leaves the body, so for most Australians the risk of shingles is very real. Even if you don’t recall having chickenpox, that doesn’t mean you are free from risk,” said Professor Tan.

“As we age, so does our immune system, and it becomes less effective at suppressing the virus, increasing the likelihood of it reactivating as shingles. That’s why it’s so important for Australians, especially who are over the age of 50, to speak with your GP or pharmacist to understand your risk,” he says.

To help reduce the impact on people’s lives and the disruption to everyday activities that shingles can cause, Australians aged 50 years and over should learn more about the signs, symptoms and risk factors for shingles. For more information about shingles, speak to your GP or pharmacist and visit https://www.knowshingles.com.au/test-your-shingles-knowledge  to test your shingles knowledge.

 

ENDS

 

The shingles disease awareness campaign is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd (GSK). 

Patient stories contained within this media release are not representative of all patients’ experience with shingles.

 

About GSK

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com.

 

*About the survey
An online, nationally representative survey of 1,551 Australian adults aged 50-69 years old, was conducted between 12 August and 18 August 2025 by YouGov, on behalf of GSK Australia. Data was collated from seven questions covering shingles awareness and misconceptions with all participants agreeing to participate in full transparency on both the source of the survey commissioning, and to the use of their anonymised data.  

 

 GSK enquiries

Helena Sfelagis - 0478 261 568 - Melbourne, Australia

 

Media enquiries 

Kerry Jung - 0435 753 618 - Sydney, Australia 

 

Registered Office:

4/436 Johnston Street

Abbotsford

VIC 3067

 

References

  1. CDC. Shingles. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html. (accessed December 2024). 
  2. Health Direct. Shingles. Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/shingles. (accessed December 2024).
  3. Gidding HF, et al. The seroepidemiology and transmission dynamics of varicella in Australia. Epidemiology and Infection 2003;131:1085-9
  4. YouGov Shingles Consumer Survey August 2025. GSK Data on File 2025 [REF-292507]
  5. Weinberg A, et al. The influence of age and nature of primary infection on varicella-zoster virus-specific cell-mediated immune responses. The Journal of Infectious Diseases 2010;201(7):1024-30.
  6. MacIntyre R et al. PLoS One. 2015;10(4):e0125025