Sir, – GSK, the producer of the most effective shingle vaccine, launched a shingles awareness campaign on radio in August. I assumed that there was a change in the price of this vaccine to coincide with this. However, I was advised by GSK that there was no price reduction and that the price was fixed throughout Europe.
The cost of one shot of the vaccine is roughly the same as the weekly old age pension, and two doses are required. This puts getting the vaccine beyond what people on the old age pension can afford, yet they are the most vulnerable group to getting shingles. It is available without charge in some countries, including Northern Ireland, as noted by Joan Barry in her letter of August 29th.
What action will the HSE take to afford them protection against this painful condition, one that caries the risk of crippling post-herpetic neuralgia? – Yours, etc,
THOMAS MORAN,
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Dublin 4.
