Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

The national immunisation programme should include a vaccination for shingles free of charge for all our citizens. A vaccine to prevent shingles would be of great benefit to the entire population but would particularly benefit older people who are more susceptible to viral disease. Shingles can be quite painful and debilitating and these effects are more pronounced in older people. The costs would be beyond the budget of many and as a public health issue, a nationwide free vaccination scheme would benefit the entire population. Given that it is available free of charge in Northern Ireland, it should also be available here. We must support and protect our most vulnerable, those with health issues and those getting on in years. I urge the Taoiseach to liaise with the Ministers for Health, Finance and public expenditure to introduce this vaccine as soon as possible.

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