Disappointment over lack of free shingles vaccine

Almost 300 people were hospitalised with shingles in the West and North West, including four at Roscommon University Hospital, between the start of 2023 to the end of 2025. At RUH, the hospitalisations resulted in an average length of stay of over 26 days.

At Portiuncula University Hospital, 22 people were hospitalised, 45 at Sligo, and 46 at Mayo.

A painful rash on the skin, it is an infection caused by the chickenpox (varicella zoster) virus. An Irish study found that GPs reported between one and three cases of shingles presenting to them per month, with 80% of presentations occurring in those older than 50.

At the recent HSE West Regional Health Forum, the need for the rollout of a free vaccine to people over 66 years of age for the condition was highlighted.

Galway County Councillor Laurie Harney raised the issue with senior members of the HSE. He was informed that the vaccine was available in Ireland and is recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) for adults aged 65 and older.

“However, it is not currently included in the national adult immunisation programme and is not provided free of charge in any region of Ireland. 

Anyone wishing to receive the vaccination must access it privately through their GP or pharmacy and cover the cost of the vaccination and its administration. Prices vary between GP practices and pharmacies, but the shingles vaccination typically costs approximately €450–€490 for the full two-dose course in Ireland.” 

A health technology assessment (HTA) was carried out by HIQA in 2024 to examine the potential introduction of a publicly funded shingles vaccination programme. While the vaccination is safe and effective, vaccine effectiveness wanes over time.

At an ex-wholesale price of €151 per dose, the shingles vaccination was not cost-effective at any age, the assessment found.

“Modelling suggested the vaccination price would need to decrease by approximately 80% (to about €30 a dose) for vaccination at ages 75-80 to become cost effective,” the HSE said. “Assuming a vaccination uptake of 50%, introducing a shingles vaccination programme for adults turning 65 years of age would result in an incremental cost to the HSE of approximately €53.3million over five years. 

"If vaccination was rolled out to all adults aged 65 years and over, given the size of the eligible population and the requirement for two doses of vaccination, the five-year budget impact was estimated to be approximately €218 million.” 

The councilllor said that he was disappointed with the response, saying shingles is a serious condition.

“It can be very, very painful for long periods of time,” he said. “Hopefully, the cost of vaccinations will come down enough to allow for a viable programme.”