If you’ve had chicken pox, then you are at risk of developing shingles – a very painful and sometimes debilitating illness – later in life.
A vaccine is available to prevent shingles in the vast majority of people who get the shot, but it’s not covered by provincial drug plans, and many insurance plans don’t cover it either.
Two shots are needed, each at a cost of well over $100.
On VOCM Open Line Monday, a number of callers questioned why government doesn’t cover the Shingrix® vaccine.
(Photo via Twitter)
The President of the Pharmacy Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, Dr. Ashley Waghmare, agrees. She says greater affordable access to the vaccine would prevent a lot of people from suffering the ill-effects of shingles.
“We are probably the most successful vaccinators, in this province, and we obviously support any initiative which improves vaccine accessibility,” says Waghmare.
She says shingles is a complicated condition and can be very debilitating long-term for a lot of people.
“Unfortunately, the cost of it, which is quite high, is for most of my patients probably the biggest deterrent and sometimes the only reason that they can’t access this vaccine.”
