Large gap in shingles vaccination for older people in Saxony

Barmer points to massive vaccination gaps among older people in Saxony. Around 77 percent of eligible people are not or incompletely vaccinated against herpes zoster (shingles), the health insurance company announced on the basis of a survey of its own policyholders. This affects more than one million people aged 60 and over, although the vaccination has been covered by health insurance since May 2019.

Often severe courses and complications

"The herpes zoster vaccination significantly reduces the risk of shingles. However, the current vaccination rate is absolutely inadequate. In view of the often severe courses and complications, the rate is too low," said Barmer regional managing director Monika Welfens. Insured persons are entitled to the vaccination and should receive it. The risk of contracting the disease is reduced by 64 percent with full vaccination.

Shingles is a skin rash, usually in the form of stripes with blisters, which is often very painful. It is triggered by the same viruses that cause chickenpox (varicella) - the so-called varicella zoster viruses. The medical name herpes zoster is also derived from them. Anyone who has ever had chickenpox can later develop shingles. In the event of complications, sufferers can even go blind or experience excruciating nerve pain.

The trigger is often a weakened immune system

After an infection with chickenpox, the causative viruses remain in the body. They can become active again many years later and lead to shingles. This is often triggered by a weakened immune system. Shingles is a very common disease, especially in older people. According to Barmer, around one in two people who have reached the age of 85 have contracted shingles at some point in their lives. Without complications, the disease is overcome after two to four weeks.

The analyses refer to the proportion of insured persons aged 60 and over who were continuously insured with Barmer in the years 2019 to 2023.

Chronic patients aged 18 and over benefit from new rules

Until now, people aged 50 to 59 with a chronic disease such as diabetes were also entitled to have the costs of a shingles vaccination covered by statutory health insurance in addition to the over-60s. The Standing Committee on Vaccination recently decided to extend this entitlement to chronically ill people aged 18 and over.