In order to avoid pain and long-term consequences, those affected have to dig deep into their pockets. Why actually?
From April 24th to 29th, the European Vaccination Week is dedicated to the motto “Prevent – Protect – Immunize”. The state of Tyrol is therefore organizing a “long vaccination afternoon” in all Tyrolean district authorities with free catch-up MMR or HPV vaccinations.
However, other vaccinations are currently being advertised intensively, for example those against herpes zoster – also known as shingles. In TV commercials, people are advised to have a snack. For many people, chickenpox is an unpleasant childhood memory. The skin itches and scratches, red blisters form. The trigger is the varicella-zoster virus, which lies dormant in almost all of us and, similar to cold sores, remains in the body after the blisters have healed.
In many people – in Austria there are around 40,000 per year – the disease breaks out again in the form of shingles. Accordingly, shingles is not a new infection, but a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. One in three suffers from shingles in the course of life, the Austrian Association of Vaccine Manufacturers (ÖVIH) recently informed in a broadcast.
The incidence of shingles increases with age, with about half of cases occurring in the over 50 age group. A disease causes a rash that is limited to a clearly defined area of skin. Other possible symptoms are pain, fever, swollen lymph nodes and a reduced general condition. The consequences of shingles are often severe, severe and difficult to treat pain conditions that last for months. What is called “post-herpetic neuralgia” in technical jargon can massively restrict the quality of life of those affected. According to recent findings, the risk of a heart attack or stroke also increases.
However, the infectious disease also leads to high economic costs. According to calculations, an illness with herpes zoster causes medical costs of 105 million euros per year in Germany alone, despite a vaccine. In order to prevent an illness, people over 50 in Austria are recommended to be vaccinated against herpes zoster.
Two vaccines are currently approved. A vaccine is indicated from the age of 18 for adults with an increased risk of shingles. Even if shingles disease has already occurred, the vaccination can still be carried out. The inactivated vaccine is administered twice with an interval of at least two months.
What the doesn’t reveal, however, is the cost of the shingles vaccine. Only a few weeks ago, a Lower Austrian had to be annoyed about this. The Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) did not want to contribute to the costs of the recommended vaccination. 410 euros – as in this specific case – is no small matter.
However, people who are at risk are dependent on vaccination in order to avoid the outbreak of the disease and its long-term consequences as far as possible. In 2022, a large-scale study in the USA found that people who had contracted Covid-19 were more likely to subsequently develop shingles. The weakening of the immune system caused by the corona was mentioned as a possible reason.
Preventive measures – which include vaccinations – do not represent a service provided by the ÖGK, according to dolomitenstadt.at. “It is understandable that public pressure is now increasing for heavily advertised products to have social insurance companies cover the costs. However, these are medical decisions that must be clarified between those affected and the doctors treating them,” says the press office of the ÖGK.
Due to the service mandate and the legal basis for financing, these decisions could currently “not or only in very special cases” be taken over by the social security institutions. Where the financing of preventive measures has been clarified by the Ministry of Health, the social insurance will participate to the extent planned.
In East Tyrol, country doctor Cornelia Trojer has so far completely immunized twelve sufferers against herpes zoster. She started with the vaccinations at the end of 2020. The corona pandemic has increased interest in vaccinations. Trojer reports noticeable successes: “The twelve vaccinated all reported positive effects.” But Trojer also knows that a vaccination that costs around 400 euros is not available for everyone.
The doctor therefore teamed up with the Matrei local pharmacist, Stefan Pickl, and ordered vaccination doses together. “Each dose is expensive, but if you buy a large amount, the price drops to a more manageable level,” says Trojer. The last time the prick cost her around 200 to 300 euros. Trojer still has a few cans in stock from the bulk order. The aforementioned Lower Austrian was also retrospectively granted a subsidy of 242 euros after he contacted the media.