More than 55,000 New Zealanders aged 65 will now have access to a funded vaccine which, according to new research, can protect them for up to ten years against shingles.
Pharmac has assessed other groups for funding, including Maori and Pacific people aged over 60.
Shingles is a viral infection that can be caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZS,) the same virus behind chickenpox. Those who are over the age of 50 are just as at risk of contracting shingles.
Almost all adults aged 50 and over will most likely already have the virus, which can cause shingles, due to an initial chickenpox infection. Statistics show that around a third will develop shingles when the virus reactivates.
Otago University senior lecturer Dr Jenny Visser said that our immune systems start to wear down over time.
“Shingles is an incredibly painful virus and can result in hospitalisation along with severe complications. For those who are immunocompromised or living with an underlying disease, it can be fatal.”
Dr Visser advises that anyone over the age of 50 who has been exposed to chickenpox should consult their general practitioner for further information to prevent shingles.
“Patients are often unable to have clothing or bed linen touch their skin, and one of the most common side effects is postherpetic neuralgia which means the patient can suffer from chronic pain even after the rash and blisters have disappeared.”
The move has been set up to improve access to the vaccine, with all people over the age of 50 being able to privately purchase the vaccine at their local pharmacy.
Medical director of GSK, Brett Marett, said that due to one in three adults being infected with shingles in their lifetime, GSK is proud to be at the forefront of developing vaccines.
“We are pleased that vaccination with Shingrix offers protection against shingles for up to 10 years, allowing New Zealanders and their health providers peace of mind when it comes to duration of protection.”
The Shingrix vaccine has proven to be over 90 percent effective in all age groups in the 50-plus age range. The vaccine has been tested in clinical trials and can provide 10 years of post-vaccination protection.
