The Spanish Confederation of Organizations for the Elderly (CEOMA) congratulate the Council of Galicia by news announced for its president, Alfonso Ruedain the Galician Vaccination Program, novelties that include the investment of 6.5 million euros for the purchase of herpes zoster (HZ) and meningitis B vaccines and the increase in the target population. In the specific case of HZ, the president announced the expansion of vaccination to all risk groups recommended by the Ministry of Health, something that CEOMA considers insufficient.
It is, according to CEOMA, an “error or an unfortunate oversight”, since the elderly are the ones who suffer the most from this disease, which specifically affects 50% of them. At this point, the Confederation recalls that, in 2021, The Ministry of Health also recommended vaccination against this infection for those over 65 years of age and ask the Xunta that Galicia be equal to other communities that, like Madrid and Asturias, are already doing it.
Commonly known as ‘shingles’, HZ is a viral infection caused by the same virus as chickenpox and especially affects older people (the risk increases with age, reaching up to 50% in people over 85 years of age) and certain risk groups. HZ is very prevalent and its complications can cause disability and significantly affect the quality of life of those who suffer from it. In addition, it constitutes a significant burden on society both for the direct costs of health care, and for the loss of productivity in younger people and of caregivers in older patients. “50% of those over 65 years of age will have HZ at some point in their lives. An older person from Galicia cannot have fewer rights than an older person from Madrid or Asturias”, he states. Javier Garciamanaging director of CEOMA.
Recommendations of the Ministry of Health
The A year ago, the Ministry of Health approved the recommendation to vaccinate against shingles in those over 18 from six risk groups (autologous transplants, solid organ transplants, treatments with anti-JAK drugs, HIV, malignant blood diseases and with solid tumors receiving chemotherapy) Already people over 65. However, immunization against this disease is being managed differently in each autonomous community. In the specific case of Galicia, until now people with autologous transplants, solid organ transplants and treatments with anti-JAK drugs have been recipients of the vaccine. As of yesterday’s announcement, vaccination is extended to the three remaining risk groups, although not yet to those over 65 years of age.
Currently, two autonomous communities (Madrid and Asturias) are already vaccinating people over 65 against HZ, while others (such as Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and Castilla y León) have already announced their willingness to apply it. Galicia is, after Asturias and Castilla y León, the third oldest autonomous community in Spain. Almost 26% of its inhabitants (around 700,000 people) are over 65 years old, a group that will inevitably increase in the coming decades as a result of the aging of the population.
“Equity between communities is of vital importance and older people should have access to the same treatments regardless of their place of residence. It is necessary to promote the harmonization of a single and equitable vital vaccination calendar in all the autonomous communities that avoids discrimination between citizens and puts an end to the current inequalities”, recalls Javier García. “Spain has achieved vaccination coverage of up to 97% in the first years of life. However, at advanced ages that figure falls to 57% (40 points less). It is essential to improve this aspect in order to prevent diseases that can have very serious consequences for the elderly”, he concludes.
