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Costly shingles vaccine

HSE’s immunisation schedule needs a rethink

Letters to the Editor. Illustration: Paul Scott
The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.

Sir, – On July 19th the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) concluded that “at the current price adding shingles vaccination to the routine immunisation schedule for the general population aged 50 years and older would not be an efficient use of HSE resources”.

Does Hiqa realise, however, that treating shingles with antiviral treatment during the infection phase combined with ongoing treatment for post herpetic neuralgia is not free?

The biggest cost to the state will be the effects on the quality of life in the older person with a shingles infection.

How many of us can afford to pay up to €600 for shingles vaccination?

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Vaccine manufacturers must reduce the cost of this vaccine to the State.

Don’t get me started on the cost of the chickenpox vaccine for children ! – Yours, etc,

MICHELLE ANDERSON, MPSI,

Blackrock,

Co Dublin.