Despite a positive advice from the Health Council, there will be no government vaccination campaign against shingles for people over 60, reports RTL News. There is currently no money for this, says the cabinet. Patients and doctors are disappointed.
Shingles is an infection that causes a skin rash. Every year, 88,000 patients, mostly women, see their doctor because of shingles. There is a vaccine against it. As early as 2019, the Health Council said that it is “extremely useful” to vaccinate everyone from the age of 60 against shingles. The vaccine would prevent around 90 percent of shingles cases. In 2020, a parliamentary motion called on the government to do this as soon as possible.
Still, that vaccination round will not happen, says State Secretary Maarten van Ooijen (Public Health). “There is currently no money for extra expenses,” he says. “And shingles vaccination is a costly extra investment, with amounts of 80 to 200 million euros per year in the first years and 40 million per year structurally thereafter.” (AP)
2023-04-30 08:10:15
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