Shingles Awareness Week: A Preventable Pain That Too Many Older Canadians Still Suffer 

By: Alyssa Brierley, Gregor Sneddon

At 85 years old Barbara MacNevin, a retired teacher from PEI can say with certainty that getting vaccinated against shingles “was one of the best health decisions,” she’s made in recent years. Having suffered through shingles years ago, MacNevin knows firsthand how excruciating it can be. She can still remember the relentless, burning pain and weeks of discomfort. When she heard about the new shingles vaccine, she went to her local pharmacy and got both doses—she didn’t hesitate.

MacNevin knows she is fortunate to be able to receive the vaccine for free. Since 2022, PEI has covered the cost of the vaccine for adults 50 and older.

Each year, it is estimated that over 90,000 new shingles cases occur among Canadians aged 50 and over. This painful condition, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox), disproportionately affects older adults and those with weakened immune systems. The most common complication—post-herpetic neuralgia—can leave individuals with debilitating nerve pain for months, or even years. Other complications include scarring, chronic pain, and vision loss.

Which Vaccines are Recommended?

There is currently one shingles vaccine, Shingrix, available in Canada. The Shingrix vaccine requires two doses, which are recommended to be given across a two- to six-month period.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that Canadians aged 50 years and older get the Shingrix vaccine, including those who have been previously vaccinated with the older Zostavax II vaccine and those who have had a previous episode of shingles.

Despite the prevalence and severity of shingles, only 39% of Canadians aged 50 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine. This low immunization rate leaves older Canadians unnecessarily vulnerable to an infection that is largely preventable.

How Much Does the Vaccine Cost?

Alberta, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Yukon, the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia, and federal government programs for First Nations and Inuit peoples, veterans, and those in custody currently provide the Shingrix vaccine free of charge for certain older and other high-risk populations. If you have a private drug plan, it may cover the cost of this vaccine.

A Costly Disease for Individuals and the Health Care System

Shingles doesn’t just impact those who contract it—it’s also a major burden on Canada’s health care system, costing $68 million annually. These costs come from doctor visits, hospitalizations, and treatments for complications that could largely be avoided through vaccination.

Yet, access to the shingles vaccine varies widely across the country, with coverage only being provided by a number of jurisdictions and government initiatives for certain older adults and high-risk populations. In many regions, the shingles vaccine is not publicly funded, requiring individuals to pay out-of-pocket costs ranging from approximately $150 to $190 per dose. In an NIA report, the cost of the vaccine was the most common reason cited why Canadians aged 50 and older did not receive the vaccine.

A Call to Action

“For those who have endured shingles, the message is clear: vaccination is worth it.” Said Ken How. “My wife had a very painful experience with shingles—many weeks of pain and slow recovery. We had received an earlier version of the vaccine but weren’t aware of the newly available vaccine that is now being covered for older people in four provinces and territories. Once we learned about it, we got vaccinated right away. Yes, it was costly, but we’ve encouraged everyone we know to get it. The alternative is just too painful.”

This Shingles Awareness Week, the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) and the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) are encouraging all Canadians to take action.

If you are 50 or older, talk to your health care provider about getting vaccinated. If you have already been vaccinated, encourage your family, friends, and community members to do the same. And if you believe that all older Canadians deserve access to this crucial vaccine, speak up—advocate for policy changes that will make shingles vaccination free and accessible to adults 50 years and older.

Shingles is preventable. No one should have to suffer needlessly from this painful disease. With increased awareness, stronger policy measures, and improved vaccine access, we can ensure that more older Canadians are protected today and in the future.