The Quebec government on Monday announced that free vaccinations against shingles will be made available next month to residents 80 and older as well as those over 18 who are immunocompromised.
The vaccination program was contained in the budget unveiled by provincial Finance Minister Éric Girard last month, with $124.6 million earmarked over five years to inoculate 800,000 people.
The vaccine will be available in many pharmacies and vaccination centres. A tour of long-term care facilities is also planned.
The program may be broadened over the next few years to include other age groups.
The vaccination process involves two doses. Its efficacy is estimated to be 90 per cent in all age groups with a long-term protection of 10 years.
Appointments are expected to be made available in a few weeks on the Clic Santé site.
According to the province’s Institut national de santé publique (INSPQ), Quebec records 27,000 cases of shingles annually, about 600 of which require hospitalization.
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé has described shingles as being a major health problem that can result in serious complications that last for months or even years.
