As of May, the Shingrix vaccine, a powerful defense against shingles, has been fully reimbursed for individuals aged 65 and over, as well as for adults with compromised immune systems aged 18 and above. Previously, this vaccine was only accessible through town pharmacies without reimbursement, but now, a new decree published in the Official Journal has changed the game for French citizens.
Under the new ruling, the Shingrix vaccine, developed by the British pharmaceutical giant GSK, will now be covered by health insurance for the elderly and adults with weakened immune systems. This move is aimed at “the prevention of shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia in adults aged 65 and over, and adults aged 18 and over with an increased risk of shingles,” as detailed in the decree.
Community pharmacists, nurses, and medical biologists will now have the authority to prescribe and administer Shingrix, marking a critically important step forward in the fight against shingles. This decision also highlights the effectiveness of the Shingrix vaccine, which the High Authority for Health (HAS) has deemed “much greater than that of the Zostavax vaccine,” which was previously recommended for the elderly since 2013.
Shingles, a condition that can affect anyone who has had chickenpox, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. This reactivation can occur when the immune system is weakened due to illness, treatment, or age. The HAS has emphasized the importance of vaccination, especially for those at higher risk, to prevent the onset of shingles and it’s associated complications.
The expanded coverage of the Shingrix vaccine in France is a positive development for public health, ensuring that those most vulnerable to shingles have access to a highly effective vaccine.This move not only benefits the elderly and immunocompromised adults but also supports healthcare professionals in their efforts to protect their patients from this painful and potentially debilitating condition.
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As of May, the Shingrix vaccine, which protects against shingles, is now fully reimbursed in France for individuals aged 65 and over, as well as adults aged 18 and above with compromised immune systems. Previously, it was only available without reimbursement at local pharmacies. this change, enacted thru a new decree, aims to enhance prevention against shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia for at-risk populations.
The Shingrix vaccine, created by GSK, has been endorsed over the older Zostavax vaccine due to its considerably higher effectiveness, as confirmed by the High Authority for Health (HAS). Community pharmacists, nurses, and medical biologists are now authorized to prescribe and administer the vaccine, marking progress in the campaign against shingles. Shingles arises from the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, typically when the immune system is weakened due to various factors such as age or illness. The HAS strongly advocates for vaccination to mitigate the risk of this condition and its complications.
