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17/07/2013
Shingles Vaccination Announced For NI
A vaccination programme to protect older people from shingles is to be launched in October 2013.
The programme will be introduced in Northern Ireland for all people aged 70. A catch-up programme for those aged 71 to 79 will also be introduced over the next few years, beginning this October with all 79-year-olds.
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the chicken pox virus in a person who has previously had chicken pox.
The incidence of the illness increases with age and about a quarter of adults will get shingles at some point in their life.
Older people are most at risk and it is estimated that the vaccination programme could prevent nearly 40% of cases seen every year in Northern Ireland in people over 70. It is estimated that in Northern Ireland around 21,000 people will be eligible for the vaccine in the first year.
Health Minister Edwin Poots said: "Shingles is a nasty illness that causes a painful rash of fluid-filled blisters. The pain can last for many weeks or months. This vaccination programme will help protect those most at risk from shingles. I would encourage all eligible individuals to avail of this vaccine when the programme begins in October."
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said: "Shingles is treatable with antiviral drugs but can be extremely debilitating and sufferers may be hospitalised, with many suffering chronic pain lasting up to six months or in some cases years. This is only partially treatable with painkillers. This vaccination programme will help to prevent many people suffering the after-effects of shingles."
(IT/CD)
The programme will be introduced in Northern Ireland for all people aged 70. A catch-up programme for those aged 71 to 79 will also be introduced over the next few years, beginning this October with all 79-year-olds.
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the chicken pox virus in a person who has previously had chicken pox.
The incidence of the illness increases with age and about a quarter of adults will get shingles at some point in their life.
Older people are most at risk and it is estimated that the vaccination programme could prevent nearly 40% of cases seen every year in Northern Ireland in people over 70. It is estimated that in Northern Ireland around 21,000 people will be eligible for the vaccine in the first year.
Health Minister Edwin Poots said: "Shingles is a nasty illness that causes a painful rash of fluid-filled blisters. The pain can last for many weeks or months. This vaccination programme will help protect those most at risk from shingles. I would encourage all eligible individuals to avail of this vaccine when the programme begins in October."
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said: "Shingles is treatable with antiviral drugs but can be extremely debilitating and sufferers may be hospitalised, with many suffering chronic pain lasting up to six months or in some cases years. This is only partially treatable with painkillers. This vaccination programme will help to prevent many people suffering the after-effects of shingles."
(IT/CD)
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