Atlantic Shingles Vaccine Coverage: Access & Resources

Here’s ⁢a summary of ⁣the CBC News article, focusing ⁢on the key points:

Shingles is a painful condition: The article highlights the severe pain associated with shingles, often requiring opioid ⁢medication for management. High incidence, especially in older adults: One in three Canadians will ‍develop shingles in their lifetime, with the risk increasing sharply after age 50.
Cost is a barrier ⁣to vaccination: Many Canadians, particularly⁣ seniors on fixed incomes, cannot afford the shingles vaccine.This is a critically important barrier to preventative care.
Provincial response is limited: The⁣ New⁢ Brunswick government acknowledges the benefits of the vaccine but currently doesn’t cover it for everyone. They encourage individuals over 50 to get immunized and⁣ suggest checking with private insurance. The⁣ province states they are ⁢monitoring the situation.
* ⁤ Advocacy for coverage: Laura Tamblyn Watts, president of CanAge, argues that the cost ‍of the vaccine is unreasonable for many seniors and advocates for provincial coverage.

In essence, the article discusses the problem of shingles, the importance of vaccination, and the financial obstacles ‍preventing many Canadians from accessing this preventative healthcare measure.