As part of Budget 2025, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will begin offering the shingles vaccine to residents 65 to 70 years of age and immunocompromised residents over the age of 70 as part of the provincial immunization program, effective June 1, 2025. The increased access to the shingles vaccine complements the Seniors Health and Well-Being Plan, which includes coverage of the enhanced immune response influenza vaccines for seniors 65 years of age and older.
The Honourable John Haggie, Acting Minister of Health and Community Services, will be available to media at 1:00 pm today (Wednesday, March 12) in the lobby of West Block, Confederation Building, to discuss the vaccine program.
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which remains dormant after an individual has had chickenpox and can lead to postherpetic neuralgia in some people, a condition that causes long-lasting nerve pain and can significantly affect an individual’s quality of life. Currently, antiviral treatments can reduce the pain of acute shingles if administered early.
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent shingles and its complications.
The increased access to the shingles vaccine will help improve the quality of life for seniors, ensure high-risk populations receive protection against shingles and its related health complications, and reduce hospital visits, physician consultations, and pain management treatments.
The increased access to vaccines for seniors is based on recommendations from Health Accord NL to support older adults to age well with dignity and autonomy and expand access to shingles and pneumonia vaccines for seniors
To learn more about the Seniors’ Health and Well-Being Plan, visit www.wellbeingnl.ca.
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“Shingles can be a painful virus that affects the quality of life for people living with it. By making the vaccine available through the program, we can help seniors and immunocompromised residents reduce the risk of getting shingles, ensure they have a better quality of life, and eliminate the need for other pain management treatments.”
Honourable John Haggie
Acting Minister of Health and Community Services
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