The Canadian Association of Retired Persons says the NDP provincial governmentB次元官网网址檚 refusal to provide seniors with free vaccinations against shingles as well as high-dose flu vaccines free of charge B次元官网网址� as other provinces do B次元官网网址� is B次元官网网址渄isappointing if not alarming.B次元官网网址�

CARP has a membership of more than 3,000 seniors in Surrey/White Rock and 20,000 province-wide. In June, it sent a letter to Premier David Eby and Health Minister Adrian Dix lobbying them for free vaccinations as their cost is prohibitive for seniors living on low and fixed incomes.

Ramona Kaptyn, a Surrey resident and CARP BCB次元官网网址檚 chief advocacy and communications officer, noted in B.C. shingles vaccines cost anywhere from $160 to $210, she said.

Kaptyn said sheB次元官网网址檚 had shingles twice, and describes it as B次元官网网址減robably the worst thing you can imagine.B次元官网网址�

The provincial governmentB次元官网网址檚 response fell flat, she said. B次元官网网址淲e are disappointed.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e just going to keep trying,B次元官网网址� she vowed. B次元官网网址淏.C. seems to be behind everybody else in everything.B次元官网网址�

Assistant Deputy Health Minister Maryna Korchagina responded sheB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址減leased to report that all BC seniors aged 65 and older were offered publicly funded, enhanced influenza vaccines to provide additional protections against influenza-related illness, complications, and hospitalization during the 2022/23 viral respiratory illness season. This offering of enhanced influenza vaccines for all BC seniors will be continuing once again this fall.B次元官网网址�

But CARP says the provincial government is not offering the high-dose flu vaccine, recommended for older adults as it triggers a stronger immune response and provides protection against flu-related complications that, according to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization in Canada, is superior to the enhanced standard-dose vaccine B.C. offers.

B次元官网网址淭his is particularly important given the higher risk of severe flu outcomes in our elders,B次元官网网址� Kaptyn said. B次元官网网址淭he Centre for Disease Control in the U.S. also recommends the high-dose flu vaccination as it contains four times more antigen than regular vaccines, so it provides superior protection against illness and hospitalization.B次元官网网址�

Kaptyn noted that nearly one in three Canadians will develop shingles, with the severity increasing sharply after age 50. B次元官网网址淪hingles can lead to postherpetic neuralgia and even death. It not only impacts the quality of life of the affected individual, but it also places a burden on their families and our healthcare system,B次元官网网址� she said.

Meantime, Korchagina in her response to CARPB次元官网网址檚 concern stated that B次元官网网址渙ur provincial immunization experts are currently assessing the feasibility of a publicly funded shingles vaccine program, which will be reviewed by the ministry for final decision.B次元官网网址�

To this, Kaptyn replies that healthcare B次元官网网址渘eeds to be fixed now.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淒onB次元官网网址檛 we matter? DonB次元官网网址檛 older adults matter in the healthcare system? WhatB次元官网网址檚 going on?B次元官网网址�

According the ImmunizeBC, the shingles vaccine can be purchased at most pharmacies and travel clinics and is administered in two doses two to six months apart. Since February 2021, the shingles vaccine has been available at no cost to First Nations seniors aged 65 and older.

tom.zytaruk@surreynowleader.com
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