The Balearic Islands will begin to vaccinate people over 65 years of age against shingles this January, the Regional Ministry of Health has confirmed. In this way, the islands will become the fourth Spanish community, after Catalonia, Madrid and Asturias, to include the drug against this condtion in its vaccination schedule.
Health budget increase permits vaccination inclusion
The Regional Minister of Health, Patricia Gómez, has announced a 35% increase in the budget allocated to Health, from 9.5 to 12.9 million euros. The increase of 3.4 million in the 2023 accounts will allow the incorporation of the herpes zoster vaccination into the community’s vaccination schedule to protect the over 65 population, specifying now that the administration of the drug will not be delayed and will begin to be administered in January.
Herpes zoster is a highly prevalent and debilitating viral infection that particularly affects the elderly and certain at-risk groups. It is known as ‘shingles’ and is a viral infection caused by the same virus as chickenpox. It particularly affects the elderly (the risk increases with age, reaching up to 50% in those over 85 years of age) as well as certain at-risk groups, and its complications can cause disability and significantly affect the quality of life of those who suffer from it.
This viral infection causes a painful skin rash that can appear anywhere on the body. It usually looks like a single strip of blisters that wraps around the left or right side of the torso. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After contracting chickenpox, the virus remains in the body for life and years later may reactivate as shingles
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