Gerri Gavin's first cousin was staying with her in Galway for the New Year when she first began to feel unwell. She thought she was just generally off form and hoped it was nothing more than a run-of-the-mill cold. The following day she experienced a painful rash, later diagnosed as shingles. The pain was so severe that she required hospitalization.
Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, can lead to long-term nerve pain, especially in older adults. In Ireland, the HSE offers the shingles vaccine free to those aged 70 and over, but many seniors argue the age limit is too restrictive. Advocacy groups are calling for the vaccine to be made available to all adults over 50, as recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).
According to the HSE, the vaccine reduces the risk of shingles by about 70% and can prevent complications. However, those under 70 must pay up to €200 for the two-dose course. Campaigners say this cost is prohibitive for many pensioners, leading to preventable suffering.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has stated that the government is considering expanding the free vaccine program, but no decision has been made yet. The Irish Patients' Association continues to lobby for broader access, citing the burden of shingles on the healthcare system.
