Irish Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has called for the state to fully reimburse the shingles vaccine for adults aged 65 and over, following a severe personal battle with the viral infection over the summer. While the jab is available in Ireland, out-of-pocket costs ranging from €450 to €490 place it out of reach for many older patients who face debilitating pain and potential long-term complications.
Shingles Vaccine Costs Limit Access in Ireland
An effective vaccine to protect people from shingles is available across Ireland, but it carries a steep price tag of at least €450, according to reports highlighting the financial barrier. Because the vaccine is not currently funded under a free national immunisation rollout, many vulnerable adults do not avail of the jab. Government ministers are reportedly considering whether to fund a free rollout for over-65s in the upcoming budget. Senator Fiona O’Loughlin, a Fianna Fáil politician, contracted shingles during the summer and spoke publicly about the severity of the illness. She argues that the high cost makes prevention inaccessible for older demographics who need it most.
Physical Toll and Medical Impact of Shingles
Shingles is a painful viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus—the same pathogen responsible for chickenpox. Anyone who has previously had chickenpox retains the virus in their body, where it can reactivate later in life as shingles. While it can occur at any age, it is most common in adults over 50. Describing her symptoms, Senator O’Loughlin compared the physical sensation to a metal vice grip squeezing the left side of her body, accompanied by sudden, violent spasms and sharp jolts comparable to grabbing an electric fence. Despite a high personal pain threshold following previous surgeries from a car accident, she found the neurological pain and constant exhaustion unlike anything she had previously experienced. Routine tasks left her severely depleted, requiring hours of rest. Medical complications from the infection can be severe, leaving patients bedridden, in intense pain, or requiring hospital treatment.
Connections to Long-Term Health Risks
Beyond the acute phase, health experts have pointed to potential long-term implications associated with the virus. Studies have shown an association between shingles and an increased risk of developing dementia. Research from Stanford University suggests that receiving the shingles vaccine could reduce the risk of dementia by approximately 20 percent. In Ireland, approximately 64,000 people live with dementia, a figure projected by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to more than double to over 150,000 by the year 2045. Advocates argue that implementing a publicly funded vaccination programme targeting adults aged 65 and over, alongside immunocompromised patients, could mitigate both acute suffering and broader healthcare burdens.