(CTV News) — The Quebec government announced Monday that free shingles vaccination for Quebecers aged 80 and over and immunocompromised people aged 18 and over will be available next month.
The free shingles vaccination for certain seniors was provided for in the last budget presented to the national assembly by Finance Minister Éric Girard. At the time, the minister said his government planned to spend $124.6 million over five years to provide the free shingles vaccine to 800,000 people.
The vaccine will be offered in the health network vaccination centres as well as in several pharmacies. A tour of CHSLDs by vaccination teams is also planned.
The vaccination includes two doses of the inactivated shingles vaccine. It is about 90 per cent effective in preventing shingles in all age groups, with long-term protection of about 10 years. (…)