Shingles vaccine to be routine for people in their 70s

[dipsydoodle]

People in their 70s across the UK will be offered a vaccine against shingles from this September.

Experts have been recommending routine immunisation against the disease, which causes a painful rash, for some years.

The government-led programme will target 70, 78 and 79-year-olds in the first instance and should prevent tens of thousands of cases a year.

Elderly people are at greatest risk and vaccination should prevent nearly half of cases in the over-70s.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22335511

Can anyone figure why those specific ages ?

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Just a way of covering the age groups, I gues

Though I wonder what they'd say if someone aged 80 asked for the vaccination - would they refuse?

[In_The_Wind]

2. IMO: Offering the vaccine to everyone over 50 would be better.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Shingles are pot luck

Last edited Tue Apr 30, 2013, 09:10 AM - Edit history (1)

Late '89 both of my children had really bad bouts of chicken pox and my wife who was 45 then contracted shingles - missed me completely. It affected the main nerve path in her right leg causing her to collapse at times. We thought at the time that the cause of collapse was her brain tumour and the spots on her ankle flea bites from one of the cats. Whilst others had missed this a Lebanese registrar at the Maida Vale Hospital spotted immediately that it was shingles which was then treated accordingly - not sure how but it was cleared up.

It would seem that what is being done here is to break the cost down over a number a years so maybe they'll lower the age group in the future but for the time being it says "Eventually the jab will be only be offered to those reaching their 70th birthday"

[In_The_Wind]

4. My face became partially paralyzed by Shingles.

If I had received treatment within 72 hours of the onset of my problem I might not have a problem today.

[femmocrat]

5. They should be free "preventative care" here, too.

The shots are incredibly expensive. My insurance covered mine, but we had to get it pre-approved. Plus I had to go to some out-of-the-way clinic in a pharmacy to get the shot.

[IcyPeas]

6. in California they are suggested for 60+ years