Manitoba’s health minister was non-committal Tuesday about paying for the shingles vaccine for seniors.
“I know that many seniors across the province are concerned about shingles and having access to vaccinations to protect themselves and for their loved ones to be protected,” said Uzoma Asagwara in response to a question by Liberal MLA Cindy Lamoureux.
Lamoureux pointed to guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization in 2018 that suggested everyone 50 and older should get the vaccine.
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox. Shingles occurs when the dormant virus is reactivated in the body. It presents as a painful rash and nerve pain, often on one side of the body in a strip, as per Health Canada.
Older adults and those with weak immune systems are most likely to get it.
The Shingrix vaccine is given in two doses, each of which costs about $150.
In response to the question, the minister suggested there is no consensus on the age a shingles vaccine should be given — whether at 50 or 65.
Connie Newman, executive director of the Manitoba Association of Senior Communities, said the province should consider paying for more vaccines, including Shingrex, for seniors.
“Vaccinations for older adults, and there are a few of them — should be considered by public health,” Newman said.
Researchers predicted 90,000 new cases of shingles occur annually among Canadian adults aged 50 and older, in a 2023 report by the National Institute on Aging at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Shingles vaccines are free to seniors aged 65 to 70 in Ontario, 65 to 79 in the Yukon and 60 and older in P.E.I.
erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca
Erik Pindera
Reporter
Erik Pindera reports for the city desk, with a particular focus on crime and justice.