Common sense needed around shingles vaccines for over 65s - Yorkshire Post Letters

Seen the recent TV adverts urging you to get your shingles vaccine if you are 65? Aged 66-70 and think you’re eligible? Think again. You’re not.

For some time now citizens aged 70+ have been eligible to receive shingles injections. The latest campaign recognises this problematic illness.

My mother suffered with this painful debilitating condition for years. Two friends currently suffer with the condition, one is rendered housebound with complications directly attributed to it.

Relieved to hear about the accessible age for the vaccine coming down to 65, from September 1 this year. I, like most people would, assumed I was eligible. Presenting myself to the wonderful local surgery, I am now aware of this anomaly.

It’s simply not fair to leave receptionists, nurses, and doctors in the public firing line. They should not be required to deal with the public who can not understand this incomprehensible policy.

As citizens who are turning 65 are entitled to the shingles vaccine, it is clear from a medical perspective over 65s should have it.

A nursing friend tells me that during her career she has nursed many very sick people within their mid-late 60s suffering with shingles.

Medical complications relating to shingles are costly not only to peoples life and wellbeing, but also on medications, and in demands on the valuable stretched resource of nurses, doctors, and consultants.

Local pharmacies are more than capable of administering these preventative vaccines. Can we not get some common sense and consistency to this policy, to make this vaccine available, in line with that in Scotland, to everyone in England aged 65 and above?