Liberals Push for Free Shingles Vaccination for Stockholm‘s Elderly
The Liberals are advocating for the urgent implementation of free shingles vaccination for the elderly population in the Stockholm region. This initiative aims to bolster public health and mitigate the significant pain and potential complications associated with the disease.
Shingles, a resurgence of the varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox, can inflict severe pain.Annually, around 6,000 Stockholmers contract shingles, with a notable portion being individuals over 65. The proposed free vaccination program seeks to address this public health concern directly.
More than a third of Sweden’s population is expected to experiance shingles outbreaks at least once in their lifetime. While some cases present with milder symptoms, others endure lifelong suffering. The disease’s complications can be serious, including pneumonia, meningitis, and an elevated risk of stroke. Vaccination offers a proactive measure against these adverse outcomes.
Recent scientific findings have further strengthened the case for shingles vaccination, indicating a potential reduction in dementia risk by up to 20 percent. Countries like England and Australia have already established national vaccination programs for shingles,setting a precedent for proactive public health strategies.
The current cost of shingles vaccination, approximately SEK 5,
