Good news: Senior citizens could be offered vaccine against shingles
Last updated 02/02/2010 10:00:35
Senior citizens could be offered vaccine against shingles
People aged between 70 and 79 could be offered protection against shingles for the first time as a vaccination programme moves a step closer.
It follows a recommendation made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation that the vaccine should be offered to the age group if it can be bought at a price which makes the programme cost-effective.
The recommendation is covered by provisions in the NHS Constitution which mean that if the committee recommends a vaccine programme based on an assessment of cost-effectiveness, patients have the right to receive the vaccine on the NHS.
Shingles is a nasty illness which most often affects, and is more severe in, older people. It is caused by the re-activation of the chickenpox virus that an individual caught, usually as a child. It causes a painful rash of blisters, which can last for many weeks or months.
Although treatable with antiviral drugs, shingles can be extremely debilitating and sufferers may be hospitalised with many suffering chronic pain lasting months. Shingles tends to be more serious the older people get, and about a quarter of adults will get shingles at some point in their life.
Minister for Public Health Gillian Merron said: "A vaccination programme would be good news for those in their 70s. It would improve people's quality of life by offering protection against this illness. A rigorous procurement programme will now be undertaken to determine whether shingles vaccine can be procured at a price which would make the vaccination programme cost-effective."
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