To: Daily Éireann
Petition to reduce the cost of shingles vaccine in Ireland
Petition to Reduce the Cost of the Shingles Vaccine in Ireland
To the Minister for Health, the Department of Health, and the Health Service Executive (HSE):
We, the undersigned, call on the Irish Government and the HSE to make the shingles vaccine affordable and accessible to all eligible adults in Ireland.
Currently, the cost of vaccination can be a significant financial burden, placing this important preventative healthcare measure beyond the reach of many people aged 50 and over. This creates an inequality in access to protection against a painful and potentially debilitating illness.
We call for:
A maximum out-of-pocket cost of €50 for the shingles vaccine for all adults aged 50 years and over.
Free shingles vaccination for people who are immunocompromised or living with long-term, lifelong, or chronic health conditions that increase their risk of severe shingles and complications.
The development of a national shingles vaccination programme comparable to those available in other countries, including the UK, where eligible groups receive publicly funded protection.
A review of the long-term economic benefits of wider vaccine access, including reduced GP visits, hospital admissions, specialist treatments, and chronic pain management costs.
Shingles is not merely a temporary rash. Many people experience severe and persistent nerve pain, known as post-herpetic neuralgia, which can continue for months or years after the visible symptoms have disappeared. This can have a devastating impact on quality of life, independence, mental health, and the ability to work or care for family members.
Making the vaccine affordable—or free for those at highest risk—would not only prevent suffering but could also reduce healthcare costs by avoiding expensive treatment of complications and long-term pain.
We urge the Government and the HSE to act now to ensure that cost is not a barrier to preventing a serious and potentially life-altering illness.
Signed
To the Minister for Health, the Department of Health, and the Health Service Executive (HSE):
We, the undersigned, call on the Irish Government and the HSE to make the shingles vaccine affordable and accessible to all eligible adults in Ireland.
Currently, the cost of vaccination can be a significant financial burden, placing this important preventative healthcare measure beyond the reach of many people aged 50 and over. This creates an inequality in access to protection against a painful and potentially debilitating illness.
We call for:
A maximum out-of-pocket cost of €50 for the shingles vaccine for all adults aged 50 years and over.
Free shingles vaccination for people who are immunocompromised or living with long-term, lifelong, or chronic health conditions that increase their risk of severe shingles and complications.
The development of a national shingles vaccination programme comparable to those available in other countries, including the UK, where eligible groups receive publicly funded protection.
A review of the long-term economic benefits of wider vaccine access, including reduced GP visits, hospital admissions, specialist treatments, and chronic pain management costs.
Shingles is not merely a temporary rash. Many people experience severe and persistent nerve pain, known as post-herpetic neuralgia, which can continue for months or years after the visible symptoms have disappeared. This can have a devastating impact on quality of life, independence, mental health, and the ability to work or care for family members.
Making the vaccine affordable—or free for those at highest risk—would not only prevent suffering but could also reduce healthcare costs by avoiding expensive treatment of complications and long-term pain.
We urge the Government and the HSE to act now to ensure that cost is not a barrier to preventing a serious and potentially life-altering illness.
Signed
Why is this important?
Shingles is not merely a temporary rash. Many people experience severe and persistent nerve pain, known as post-herpetic neuralgia, which can continue for months or years after the visible symptoms have disappeared. This can have a devastating impact on quality of life, independence, mental health, and the ability to work or care for family members.
Making the vaccine affordable—or free for those at highest risk—would not only prevent suffering but could also reduce healthcare costs by avoiding expensive treatment of complications and long-term pain.
Making the vaccine affordable—or free for those at highest risk—would not only prevent suffering but could also reduce healthcare costs by avoiding expensive treatment of complications and long-term pain.
