P.E.I. lowers age for free shingles vaccine

The P.E.I. government has lowered the age requirement for a free shingles vaccine to 50.

The change from age 60was announced in a news release Monday morning andis effective immediately.

Shingles is a painful rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. About 30 per cent of adults will develop shingles in their lifetime and 10 per cent will develop lingering and debilitating nerve pain.

Appointments for the Shingrixvaccine can be booked at pharmacies. The vaccine requires two doses given between two and six months apart.

The province first began offering free vaccines for Islanders in 2022. The program started with coverage for people aged 65 and older.

A provincial government spokesperson noted the Shingrix vaccine is approved by Health Canada for people aged 50 and over, and that Islanders who have had a case of shingles should wait one year before gettingthe vaccine.