Free Shingles Vaccination Launched

"From now on, along with the already available influenza vaccination, we also have the free vaccination against shingles and pneumococci - regardless of how much money people have in their wallets," said Social and Health Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ). This is "a milestone."

Free Shingles Vaccination for All People Over 60 and At-Risk Individuals

"One third of people (over the course of their lives; note) develop shingles." Therefore, it is a major concern and project of the federal government, states, and social insurance to ensure the appropriate vaccination protection. "Funding is secured until the end of 2028," said the minister. In total, 450 million euros will be provided for the free vaccinations in Austria by then. The vaccination against a reactivation of the varicella virus consists of two immunizations spaced two to six months apart.

It is now generally free for all adults over the age of 60 and for at-risk individuals from 18 years old. These are primarily people with severe underlying conditions, immunocompromised individuals, people with autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), cancer patients (e.g., also undergoing chemotherapy), people after organ transplants, etc. Herpes zoster occurs when the varicella virus is reactivated due to a weakened immune system, causing shingles.

30,000 Shingles Cases Per Year and 2,000 Hospital Stays

For the president of the Austrian Society for Dermatology and Venereology (ÖGDV), Robert Mülleger, the new initiative is a significant advancement: "Shingles is a disease of the nervous system and the skin. We have more than 30,000 cases per year in Austria. One in three to four people will develop it in their lifetime. Worldwide, the frequency increases by five percent per year. Two-thirds of those affected over 50 years old have a complication. The hospitalization rate in Austria is around six percent. In 2022, this was almost 2,000 cases with an average hospital stay of one week."

The most feared aspect of the disease is persistent and sometimes severe nerve pain, which is often difficult to treat. The dermatologist: "The most significant complication is this 'postherpetic neuralgia.' It affects 30 percent of those over 50, 50 percent of those over 60, and 70 percent of those over 70 with herpes zoster." Twenty percent of these patients suffer from this pain for more than a year, and 45 percent report daily discomfort. "In up to 40 percent of patients, the pain is not adequately treatable."

Shingles Vaccination with Protection Rate of More Than 80 Percent

According to statements at the press conference of the Praevenire Health Forum, shingles should be prevented by vaccination. Mülleger: "After eleven years, the protection rate is still more than 80 percent." Maria Paulke-Korinek, head of the vaccination department at the Ministry of Health, pointed to the "extremely high disease burden" caused by Herpes Zoster. The first 100,000 doses of the vaccine have already been called up. This concerns around 2,100 institutions across Austria that want to administer it. "To our surprise regarding acceptance, the vaccine was fully booked in just two days." Currently, there are discussions with the manufacturer about additional deliveries. However, there is optimism to receive more vaccine this November.

With the Herpes Zoster vaccination, no one is too late, unlike with diseases that occur seasonally in clusters such as influenza, Covid-19, or pneumococcal infections. Health Minister Korinna Schumann regarding the currently fully booked vaccine: "I would not speak of misplanning, but of success." In fact, it is important for shingles that as many people over 60 and at-risk individuals get vaccinated, whether a bit earlier or later, it hardly matters for the protection of the population in general.

Free Shingles Vaccination Delights Seniors

The senior representatives expressed their delight. Ingrid Korosec, President of the Senior Citizens' Association: "We are very glad that this vaccination is finally available. It helps the seniors, but also society. Healthier aging must be our central task. We are laggards in prevention."

Birgit Gerstorfer, President of the Austrian Pensioners' Association, stated: "The demand for free vaccinations is old. It has always been on the agenda." It is great that Herpes Zoster and pneumococcal immunization are now available for seniors free of charge. The expenses for the vaccinations were indeed on par with the compensatory allowance.

The vaccines are relatively costly. On the other hand, experts estimate the annual direct and indirect costs of Herpes Zoster in Austria to be around 150 million euros.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.