Why do the elderly suddenly approach the GGDs for the shingles vaccine en masse? And four other questions

Waiting lists. Extra vaccination days. Overbooked office hours. The demand for the vaccine against shingles has suddenly increased sharply. GGD Hollands Midden, region-Leiden, set 145 pricks in February alone, four times as much as in the last quarter of 2024. GGD Twente around 180 on an extra inserted, monthly puncture day, but even for that is now a waiting list of ‘about a month’.

The demand has been rising just about since December, shortly after an episode of TV program Radar. Message of that broadcast: the disease is very to and painful and for several years with a vaccine. If you are a sixty -more spy, a doctor said in front of the camera, I recommend that you are taking that vaccine. The point is alone, emphasized Radar: The vaccine is not reimbursed. And it costs hundreds of euros.

The increased question embarrasses the GGDs: they favor people with money while pricking. Four questions about shingles, including why vaccination is not reimbursed.

1 What is shingles?

An infectious disease that starts with « itching, tingling or a severe, burning or stabbing pain, » writes the RIVM shingles. After a few days, « in groups, usually around the belly or medium », red, itchy blisters are created. Usually the disease passes on its own. But a potentially serious complication is a nerve pain that lasts for months or even years. « As if someone is sticking you with a knife, » says Chantal Tesson (48) – chairman of the foundation Pain after shingles – From own experience. Regional newspaper Tubantia Last September wrote about a belt rose patient who opted for euthanasia because of ‘hellish nerve pains’.

2 How does the disease arise?

Culper because instigator is the varicellazoster virus. That also causes chickenpox. If you have had that disease, the virus will sleep in your body. It can flame due to a low resistance, for example, and then it leads to shingles.

Every year between 50,000 and 85,000 people receive shingles, especially people over 60. It is therefore expected that the number of patients is increasing sharply due to aging.

3 How do you prevent shingles?

So there is a vaccine. The Health Council brought in 2019 A positive advice Out about people over 60 with this RZV vaccine (brand name: shingrix). It prevents around 90 percent of the cases of disease and has been working for years.

The vaccine, to be administered with two punctures, is available at the GGD and via the doctor at the pharmacy. The costs vary slightly, but are grosso modo per two punctures at 400 to 550 euros.

4 Why is the vaccine not reimbursed by the empire?

The Health Council stated in 2019 that the ‘cost -effectiveness’ of vaccination was ‘unfavorable’ due to the high price of the vaccine. That is why the vaccine is not yet included in the National Vaccination Program. If all sixty -year -olds vaccinate every year and – as a ‘one -off catch -up campaign’ – all over -60s, State Secretary Vincent Karremans (Prevention, VVD) recently wrote to the Chamber, then it will cost an estimated 185 million euros in the first five years, then 32 million annually. The government now saves the cabinet at 11 million euros per year.

Note: That only concerns healthcare costs. Other saved costs – think of employees who report sick or caregivers who are forced to stop worrying – are not included because they are ‘not available’, according to the State Secretary.

Every year between 50,000 and 85,000 people receive shingles. Especially people over 60

Nevertheless, Karremans is « very aware » of « all misery that can be prevented by vaccination, » the spokesperson emphasizes. In a parliamentary debate last month, Karremans said on questions from MPs Julian Bushoff (GroenLinks-PvdA) and Wieke Paulusma (D66) that he looks in the run-up to the spring memorandum whether financial coverage is possible.

In the meantime, the GGDs (and pharmacists) are in their stomach with the issue. Not only because they cannot handle the question, according to a survey among GGDs, but also because of the price: « We regularly hear on the phone that people find the vaccination expensive, » says a spokesperson for GGD Haaglanden. « And some decide not to vaccinate after hearing the price. »

Most GGDs do not comment on politics – « we are an executive organization » – but GGD Amsterdam does not have a magazine: « It is important that equivalent treatment is being invested. Now the health gap is growing. »

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