Shingles could be prevented in many cases if citizens in the Republic have access to the same treatment as their counterparts in Northern Ireland"
This was stated by Independent MEP Marian Harkin who seeks for Irish seniors to have the same opportunities as those offered in Northern Ireland. As a driver of a new EU initiative on preventing diseases for senior citizens. She wants to put the focus on the positive effects of prevention on the health and quality of life of senior citizens. “Irish seniors should have the right to receive a recommended vaccine against shingles which is already offered to citizens of Northern Ireland”, she said.
She continued:- "In my work as an MEP, I have made quality of life and health care for the elderly a key priority. As such, I have become involved in an EU initiative with the aim of promoting active and healthy ageing to ensure that Irish seniors have the voice they need at EU level. I am particularly involved in the part of this initiative that aims to improve the health of elderly people by preventing illness and providing citizens with the care they need.
"In the context of active and healthy ageing I have, along with three of my fellow MEPs, developed an expert recommendations paper together with leading academic researchers from across Europe to raise awareness of the role of adult vaccination for shingles as a method of preventing a disease which leads to long term illness and decline in the overall health of older people. I developed this paper because I strongly believe that an ageing population should be provided with all available preventive solutions that would enable them to remain healthy longer and to continue to play an active role in society.
"While shingles are so common that most of us knows at least someone who has had it but there is not a lot of awareness that this is a disease which affects primarily older people with a declining immune system. I was personally shocked to learn that for 1 in 3 sufferers of shingles the pain can become chronic and last for months, or even years, after the rash has disappeared, and to realise that shingles in many cases lead to citizens taking long term sick leave and for some to retire ahead of time.
"My idea was to create a common understanding on how to address prevention of shingles and other adult diseases at EU level, which can then be implemented in different countries. It is unacceptable, that citizens in the Republic do not have the choice to receive this vaccination, which will protect them against the pain and suffering that a shingles outbreak causes. When senior citizens just across the border in Northern Ireland are offered this vaccination together with their flu shots since September last year, the logic of extending the service south of the border is obvious.
"The vaccination has been identified as an effective prevention of shingles and is recommended by experts across Europe. It allows older citizens to avoid a long term illness, which in many cases can lead to retirement and an increased feeling of vulnerability.
"As an Irish MEP, I want Irish seniors to be offered the same opportunities that are available to seniors across the border in Northern Ireland. Just like the government develops campaigns to reduce smoking and alcohol intake, and to promote exercise for the elderly, vaccination for adults should be promoted where available to prevent diseases with long term effects on the health and quality of life of senior citizens.
"I therefore call on the government to increase its focus on prevention to ensure that the elderly stay healthier and active for longer, prevention is the best cure. I look forward to continue to support the rights of seniors in Ireland and addressing the needs of an ageing society so that they can remain an asset to our society."
