Call For Shingles Vaccine To Be Made Free For Older People

The HSE is looking into the possible link between the shingles vaccines and a lowered risk of dementia. The Oireachtas Health Committee was told today a free shingles vaccine programme for over 65s would cost 218 million euro. A previous HIQA assessment found the vaccine is safe and effective, but did not consider it cost effective at the current price. Chief Medical Officer Mary Horgan says she has asked HIQA to keep evaluating other benefits of the vaccine. Joining Alan Morrissey to discuss this was Dr. Michael Kelleher, Lahinch GP and Member of the IMO’s GP Committee. Image © Medical professional administering vaccine by Mihaela Stoica's Images via Canva