PCs would make shingles vaccines free for seniors

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston promised on Tuesday that his government would introduce free shingles vaccines for Nova Scotians over 65.  

Houston said the universal shingles vaccination program would cost $27 million in its first year and would drop by $3 million until the third year.  

Houston said at the media event in Halifax that in Canada, “nearly one in three people develop shingles despite the fact we have ready access to a vaccine.” 

Herpes zoster, more commonly known as shingles, is caused by the varicella zoster virus. It causes a painful and blistering rash along with flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills. Most of those who develop shingles only get it once in their lifetime.  

Immunize Canada, a national coalition of health-care organizations, says about 130,000 Canadians develop shingles each year and two out of three cases involve those over the age of 50.  

Statistics Canada reported that in 2019-20 that only 36.3 per cent of Canadians 65 and older had been vaccinated against shingles. This number is even lower in Nova Scotia at only 29.7 per cent.   

Houston said these numbers are “a call to action.” 

Houston said the current cost of a shingles vaccine is $100 per dose.  

Ontario currently has a universal shingles vaccine program and it was reported that in 2019-20, 50.4 per cent of the province’s seniors were vaccinated.  

Tuesday’s announcement came after another significant health-care campaign promise last week, when Houston proposed creating a menopause clinic in Halifax 

As of Tuesday, the PC Party has yet to release their full platform.