Shingles Infections Pose Serious Health Risks and Cost the Canadian Health Care System Upwards of $67M Annually
Shingles infections affect an estimated 90,000 Canadians aged 50 years and over each year, and cost the health care system approximately $67-82 million. Despite its prevalence—particularly among older adults—and the risk of serious health complications, only 27% of Canadians aged 50 years and over report having a shingles vaccine, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. The following report reveals a patchwork approach to shingles vaccination across the country, which does not adequately address the prevalence, seriousness or costs of the disease, and outlines eight evidence-informed policy recommendations.
