Shingles is particularly common after age 60.
In France, there are 5 to 10 cases of shingles per 1,000 people aged 60 and over per year. This infectious disease is linked to new contact with the virus responsible for chickenpox which can affect the entire body. The virus can spread through the nerves to the skin and mucous membranes where it creates vesicles similar to those of chickenpox which can cause tingling sensations, burning sensations, skin rashes and pain similar to an electric shock (“pain” after-effects”). Until now, the vaccine only benefited from exceptional coverage in certain health establishments. Now, it is available in pharmacies, and partially reimbursed, but only for certain people. We’ll explain it to you.
This decision follows a decree published in the Official Journal on December 5, 2024 in connection with the recommendations of the High Authority of Health (HAS) of February 29, 2024. The reactivation of the varicella virus can occur mainly in the elderly or at during a reduction in the body’s defenses and in accordance with the decree, the shingles vaccine Shingrix© is now included on the list of reimbursable specialties for “the prevention of shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia in adults aged 65 and over, and adults aged 18 and over with an increased risk of shingles, according to the current recommendations of the HAS […]” Indeed, the older you get, the more frequent and severe shingles become, because the immune system becomes less effective in keeping the virus “under control”.
The Shingrix© vaccine against shingles has already been reimbursed since May 2024 at 100%, but only in hospital as part of a so-called “direct access” system, an advance treatment procedure for certain people. drugs. From December 14, 2024, this vaccine will benefit from reimbursement of 65% by Health Insurance for seniors (65 years and over) and immunocompromised people from 18 years old. This concerns people with a primary or acquired immune deficiency, or under immunosuppressive treatment according to the government vaccination schedule. The price of the vaccine is 188.37 euros including tax (without dispensing fees) mentions the Official Journal.
The Shingrix© vaccination schedule is based on 2 doses spaced 2 months apart (M0 and M2). The vaccine is one of the vaccinations that the pharmacist can prescribe and administer. For people who have already started their vaccination schedule with Zostavax©, now withdrawn from the market, they will be able to receive 2 doses of Shingrix© vaccines after a period of at least one year between their last shingles infection or their vaccination with Zostavax© .
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