“Madrid Community Approves Contract for 270,000 Vaccines Against Herpes Zoster”

He Acting Governing Council of the Community of Madrid has given this Wednesday the green light to the contract to acquire in its public health 270,000 doses of vaccine in front of herpes zoster for a total of 33,766,200 euros.

The immunization is given to people with risk conditions, those turning 65, and those between 75 and 80 yearsThe regional government has reported in a statement.

Herpes zoster is a disease caused by the virus varicella zoster. Once the childhood infection is overcome, it can remain confined and dormant until, decades later, it is reactivated either due to advanced age or due to a disease that lowers the defenses.

It manifests as a skin rash with characteristics similar to that of chicken poxwhich can be extremely painful.

It has a low mortality, but it can cause complications, such as neuralgia. postherpética“which significantly affect the quality of life and can even cause disability”.

Vaccination schedule

From the year 2022 the Madrid’s community includes this protection in the Vaccination Calendar and is recommended for people who have undergone transplants (both hematopoietic and solid organ), who have HIV or are, for example, undergoing treatment with chemotherapy.

In addition, since age is also a risk factor for the reactivation of the virus varicella-zosterthis year vaccination is extended to people between 75 and 80 years, while continuing to vaccinate those who turn 65 this year. Due to the progressive aging of the population, it is necessary to have the necessary doses to administer them to these age groups.

Between January and April 2023 they have been administered in Madrid 118,624 doses76,276 as the first and 42,348 as the second, which represents a “significant increase” compared to the previous year, as a result of both the increase in the number of people to be vaccinated by age group and the work carried out by health workers in recruiting groups risky.