Shingles vaccine offered free to people 75 and older

Health Minister Christian Dubé, as well as the minister responsible for Aîborn and Minister Delegate of Health Sonia Bélanger announces that the shingles vaccine will be free for people aged 75 and over from age 1.uh in May next year. It was previously offered to people aged 80 and older. Expanding the shingles vaccination program will help reduce the incidence of shingles and its associated complications.

The vaccine will be offered to people aged 75 and older from May 1 at local point-of-care (PPOs) as well as pharmacies. It provides excellent long-term protection against the most common complications of this disease, particularly postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), where pain can persist for months, and avoids hospitalization or death.

In Quebec, there are approximately 27,000 cases of shingles each year, 600 hospitalizations and 10 deaths caused by the disease, approximately 80% of which occur in people aged 80 years and older (MSSS, 2023).

This is another step in the Government’s approach to prevention, in line with the vision expressed in the Health Plan.

“Increasing access to the shingles vaccine is part of one of the Health Plan’s priorities to strengthen prevention. We are committed to offering Quebecers complete protection against this disease, the complications of which can be very painful and sometimes fatal. I encourage all eligible people to take advantage of this opportunity and take advantage of the doses offered to reduce the risk of infection or complications. »

Christian Dubé, Minister of Health

“Each expansion of free vaccination eligibility is a step we are taking in the right direction to ensure the ideal health of our population and reduce the burden on the health and social services system. I am especially pleased that this program is mainly aimed at older people, and I invite them to take advantage of this opportunity. I thank all the teams, as well as the healthcare workers, who are mobilizing to help older people stay healthy. »

Sonia Bélanger, Minister responsible for Aîborn and Minister Delegate of Health

Basic moments:

• The government has announced a $125 million budget over 5 years to provide free access to shingles vaccinations to the people of Quebec.
• Eligible individuals are encouraged to make an appointment beginning May 1 at Clic Santé or by calling 1 877 644-4545.
• Vaccination under this program includes two doses of inactivated shingles vaccine, which the user must receive within one year, depending on his or her health status. Its effectiveness in preventing herpes zoster is approximately 90% for all age groups, with long-term protection of at least 10 years.
• Remember that in April 2023, the government already announced a free shingles vaccine with its integration into the Quebec Immunization Program (PQI) for vulnerable people aged 80 years and older, as well as for immunocompromised people aged 18 years and older.
• The shingles vaccination program could be expanded in the coming years to allow other age groups to benefit from it free of charge.
• Like all immunization programs, this addition is the result of recommendations from the Quebec Immunization Committee.

Related link:

To learn more about shingles vaccination, visit Québec.ca.