Shingles vaccines, chickenpox, Shingrix

[Mij]

In clinical trials, [the Shingrix vaccination] was shown to be 97% effective in preventing shingles in adults aged 50-69...

My understanding is that Shingrix has been shown to protect against shingles for at least seven years.

It was also advised to update tetanus shot every 10 years, but recent studies show that it's effective for 40 years. Who knows. I try not to step on nails and wear shoes outdoors.

 

[Sasha]

They do offer it to everyone, at least up to age 79. Part of the problem could be that some GP practices are better at sorting it out than others.

I think we're both half-right! Age Concern says, 'The eligibility criteria changed on 1 September 2023. You’ll be eligible for a free shingles vaccine once you turn 65 following this date and will remain eligible until you turn 80. However, if you turned 65 before this date, you'll have to wait until you turn 70 to be eligible for the vaccine.' So there is a dead zone, but only for some. It makes zero sense.

Oh I definitely got off lightly with shingles, but I often have bag experiences. Ask my cat.

Cats and bags are often closely involved.

 

[Trish]

I had the shingles vaccine at 70. I wasn't offered it before that.

 

[Mij]

It's confusing isn't it?

The Canadian website says this:

Who​

• RZV is recommended for individuals 50 years of age and older without contraindications.
• Individuals 50 years of age and older without contraindications who received LZV, or who have had a previous episode of HZ, should be vaccinated with RZV after at least one year.
• RZV is also recommended for individuals 18 years of age and older who are or will be immunocompromised.

Why​

• Nearly 1 in 3 Canadians develops HZ in their lifetime. The incidence and severity of both HZ and PHN increases sharply after 50 years.
• The risk of HZ among younger adults who are immunocompromised is comparable to or higher than the general population aged 50 years and older. Complications of acute HZ are potentially severe and more common in individuals who are immunocompromised.
• Treatment options for HZ and PHN have limited effectiveness.
• RZV is safe and effective in reducing the incidence of HZ and PHN, including among people who are immunocompromised.

And yet some provinces who manage healthcare services are only offering it for free for ages 65-70, while other provinces don't cover the cost at all.

 

[Kitty]

I think we're both half-right! Age Concern says, 'The eligibility criteria changed on 1 September 2023. You’ll be eligible for a free shingles vaccine once you turn 65 following this date and will remain eligible until you turn 80. However, if you turned 65 before this date, you'll have to wait until you turn 70 to be eligible for the vaccine.' So there is a dead zone, but only for some. It makes zero sense.

Sorry I thought you meant 65 now, in which case you would be eligible.

The guidance makes sense from the point of view of administration. If the eligibility changed from 70 to 65 on 1 September 2023 and you were already 65 by then, the new rule doesn't apply; your eligibility is under the old rule. (Don't judge me, I worked for a borough council.)

From the point of view of health protection, it makes no bloody sense at all.

 

[Mij]

Especially when recent studies show that it can reduce the risk of dementia by 20% and other conditions.

No proactive measures put in place, just guesses and reactive measure responding to events after they have already occurred and trying to save a few bucks which will cost healthcare more in the end.