The B.C. government's decision to exclude universal funding for the shingles vaccine for those 50 and older has sparked criticism from seniors' advocate Laura Tamblyn Watts. With the vaccine proven to prevent severe pain and even lower dementia risk, seniors' groups are asking why B.C. is one of the provinces refusing universal coverage. The vaccine, Shingrix, is 97% effective for those 50 to 69 and offers 91% protection in the over 70 age group, according to Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). The vaccine lasts about 12 years and is recommended by Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) for those 50 or older and those immunocompromised over 18. Shingles is a reactivation of chickenpox, and the vaccine is particularly important for those who had chickenpox as a kid. The cost of the vaccine is a significant burden on seniors, especially in the Lower Mainland and Sea to Sky, where the cost of living is already high. While some employer health insurance plans may cover the cost, most people have to pay out of pocket, and it isn't cheap. The economic burden of not funding the vaccine is also significant, as the cost of treatment for shingles is high. A 2024 study found that the vaccine lowers new dementia diagnoses by about 20%. Despite strong recommendations for vaccination, lack of public funding and limited surveillance hinder efforts to protect older adults from the significant pain, complications, and healthcare costs associated with shingles. The International Federation on Ageing concludes that the economic impact of shingles is already estimated at millions annually, and urgent action is needed. The Ministry of Health has stated that the province is not considering the implementation of a publicly funded shingles vaccine program at this time, but Tamblyn Watts argues that governments should be doing more to cover the cost of vaccines for seniors.
