An Ounce Of Prevention: Shingles Vaccine For Seniors
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is the old saying. While I don’t want to spotlight the age of a certain generation, I do want to advise any of us, who may be between the ages of 65 and 71, that the Shingles vaccination is currently available to this range of the boomer generation for free.
Shingles is a nasty, painful rash and it is desirable to avoid it. At risk are all of us who had chickenpox as youngsters. The virus never left our bodies but lurks dormant there, ready to reactivate, this time as Shingles, an infection of a nerve and the tissue supplied by it.
Until recently, the vaccination was not covered by Ontario Health Insurance; it cost around $200. Now, it is free to this age group.
I will be getting the vaccination.
Marjorie Clark
