N.L. to start covering shingles vaccines for some seniors
Maddie Ryan | CBC News | Posted: March 12, 2025 6:08 PM | Last Updated: March 12
Shots will be available through public health in June
Seniors between 65 and 70 years old — and those over 70 who are immunocompromised — will have increased access to a shingles vaccine starting June 1.
The announcement was made Wednesday by acting Health Minister John Haggie, who was joined by Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald.
"This is a significant, large group of people who will get prevention — and effective prevention — against a miserable condition that sometimes ends up with you being hospitalized," said Haggie.
Shingles comes from the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which also causes chickenpox and can cause rashes and lifelong nerve pain.
People cannot get shingles unless they have previously had chickenpox.
Those who wish to get the vaccine can access it the same way they would get a flu shot: through a family doctor, a pharmacist, or at a public health facility.
The vaccines will cost the province about $1 million annually, Haggie said.
When asked why the vaccine is limited to two certain groups, Haggie said the Department of Health is looking at the cost benefit.
"We know that the risk of hospitalization from shingles increases after age 65," he said.
"This is where we start and we see how things go, and we're going to be consistently evaluating that program just to make sure how we move forward with it."
Opposition health critic Barry Petten said the announcement was more about politics than people.
Haggie made the announcement just hours before the House of Assembly sat on Wednesday.
"Respectfully, it could have been done probably Monday," Petten said.
WATCH | Dr. Fitzgerald says the risk of hospitalization goes up after age 65:
He also said that he is "at a loss" as to why the eligibility criteria is tighter for those over 70 years old.
"I don't understand the rationality," said Petten. "I think this is a prime example of another case where all seniors [are] not going to be looked after, because every senior over 70 is not immunocompromised, but every senior over 70 struggles."
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.