The Manitoba government's recent budget has come under fire for failing to include coverage for the shingles vaccine, an essential health measure proponents argue would guard seniors and save on healthcare costs.

Connie Newman, the executive director of the Manitoba Association of Senior Communities, emphasized the financial implications of preventing shingles over treating it. "It’s saving money," she stated. With shingles, a widely affecting viral infection, timely vaccination could prevent individuals from incurring the high costs of emergency medical treatment due to complications stemming from the illness.

Currently, the Shingrix vaccine—Canada's only approved option against shingles—retails for approximately $150 per dose, requiring two doses for maximum efficacy. This advocate-driven push highlights that the vaccine is over 90% effective for individuals aged 50 and older, yet access is hampered by its steep price.

Seniors advocacy group CanAge supports the funding argument, citing a clear financial rationale for including the vaccine in provincial health coverage. "Every province is grappling with methods to mitigate costs in acute care and personal care homes. A small upfront cost for the vaccine could alleviate these broader financial strains," stated CEO Laura Tamblyn Watts.

Cindy Lamoureux, Manitoba's sole Liberal MLA, has been vocal in urging the province to embrace covering the vaccine costs for years. With hospitalization for shingles averaging a staggering $12,000 for a two-week ordeal, Lamoureux raised alarms once more when budget discussions ignored the vaccine’s inclusion.

Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus—the same virus that causes chickenpox—affects about one in three Canadians during their lifetime, with that likelihood increasing to one in two after age 65. Symptoms range from painful rashes and blisters to severe complications such as chronic nerve pain and even vision loss.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended that all Canadians over the age of 50 receive the shingles vaccine since 2018; however, only a handful of provinces—including Ontario, Alberta, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon—currently cover the vaccine's complete cost.

In response to the growing criticism, Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara indicated that the province is actively reviewing its health policies. "We are committed to ensuring that seniors in our communities can age with dignity while having access to necessary healthcare," he remarked.

Adding to this dialogue, Britt Kural, a pharmacy practice adviser with Pharmacists Manitoba, pointed out the current barriers which complicate patients' access to the vaccine. Presently, while pharmacists in Manitoba can prescribe the shingles vaccine, they lack the authority to administer it, leading to further inconvenience for those seeking timely protection.

In an exciting development, a recent study from Stanford University has unveiled another potential benefit of the shingles vaccine: a 20% reduction in the risk of developing dementia over seven years for vaccinated adults, with women reportedly benefiting more.

Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer, who led the research, underscored the urgency of integrating the vaccine into public health systems: "How fast can we get this into our public system and ensure that everyone recommended for it receives it?"

The call for action is loud and clear: Manitoba's vulnerable senior population deserves immediate access to the shingles vaccine, not only to protect their health but also to alleviate the financial burden it places on the healthcare system.

Could this be the tipping point that spurs legislative change and prioritizes the health of seniors in Manitoba? Only time will tell.

For updates on this crucial issue, stay tuned.