Vaccination against Shingles

1. What is shingles?

Shingles is an infectious disease that starts with itching, tingling, or a burning, stabbing pain. After a few days, red, itchy blisters appear, usually in clusters around the abdomen or waist. The illness usually clears up on its own, but it can lead to serious complications.

A well-known complication is nerve pain that can last for months or even years. This pain feels like being stabbed with a knife, according to Chantal Tesson (48), chair of the Pain after Shingles foundation. In September, the newspaper Tubantia reported on a patient who chose euthanasia due to unbearable nerve pain.

2. How does shingles develop?

The cause is the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. If you've had chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in your body. When your immune system is weakened, the virus can reactivate and cause shingles.

Each year, around 50,000 people in Belgium develop shingles, mostly people over the age of 60. Due to an aging population, this number is expected to increase.

3. How can you prevent shingles?

There is a vaccine against shingles, known as the RZV vaccine (Shingrix). In 2019, the Health Council advised vaccinating people over 60. The vaccine prevents about 90% of cases and offers protection for many years.

The vaccine consists of two injections, available via your GP or pharmacy.

Price: around €160

Time between doses: 2 to 6 months

4. Why is the vaccine not reimbursed?

Although the Health Council gave a positive recommendation, the vaccine is not included in the national vaccination program. The reason: the high cost makes it not cost-effective.

Vaccinating all 60-year-olds annually and all people over 60 in a one-time catch-up campaign would cost around €185 million in the first five years, and €32 million annually afterward. In comparison, the government currently saves about €11 million per year by not vaccinating.

Note: this estimate does not include indirect costs, such as employees calling in sick or informal caregivers who are unable to continue providing care.

5. Responses from the field

General practitioners and pharmacists receive many questions about the vaccine. They note that the high cost discourages some people from getting vaccinated. "We often hear that people find it too expensive and therefore decide not to get it."

Would you like to be vaccinated at Mijnhuisarts.Gent?
You can call to request a prescription for the vaccine and book an appointment online for the vaccination.