Shingles vaccine being considered for older people
The Irish government is reconsidering the inclusion of the shingles vaccine in the national immunisation schedule for older citizens. While currently not publicly funded, officials are reviewing cost-effectiveness following pressure from health advocates.
Why it matters
Public health policy decisions regarding vaccine access directly impact the quality of life and healthcare costs for aging populations.
Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney has welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Health that the Department is actively reconsidering the introduction of the shingles vaccine to Ireland’s national immunisation schedule.
Deputy Cooney raised the issue directly with Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill in the Dáil, seeking to establish whether the Government would consider expanding access to the shingles vaccine through a publicly funded vaccination programme for older people.
In her response, Minister Carroll MacNeill said the introduction of the vaccine was “again being actively considered” in line with advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), taking account of the cost of the vaccine, its cost effectiveness and available funding.
The current NIAC guidelines state that the shingles vaccine may be considered for people aged 65 and over because of the greater burden and severity of the disease in this age group.
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