Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)

I rise to bring attention to a public health issue, that is, the need for a free shingles vaccine for over-70s in our communities. We know shingles is a debilitating condition that affects thousands of older people every year. It causes severe pain, long-term nerve damage and, in some cases, serious complications regarding visual impairment, etc. As many as one in three people will get shingles in his or her lifetime.

While vaccination is available, the cost of it has been debated and it can be a significant barrier. I think the cost is €470 to €520. Many older citizens, particularly those on fixed incomes, have not budgeted this in and it leaves them vulnerable to an illness that is preventable. The cost to treat shingles in a hospital is anything from €2,400 for diagnosis to €4,700 for diagnosis and conservative treatment. The cost can be significantly higher if it requires long-term specialised care.

Other countries, such as Australia, have introduced free shingles vaccinations. It has been proven to reduce healthcare costs and it has also improved the quality of life of their citizens. By funding a national shingles vaccination scheme for over-70s, we could ease the burden on our healthcare system and GP practices. Prevention, as we know, is always more cost-effective than treatment. As matters stand, we are going back to the start of the 21st century, where diseases that are easily preventable are only preventable for those who can afford the vaccine.

I urge the Minister for Health to prioritise this issue and allocate funding for free shingles vaccinations for all over-70s, protecting thousands of people from unnecessary suffering and strengthening our healthcare system.