HALIFAX — The Nova Scotia government will begin covering the cost of the shingles vaccine as of May 28 for residents aged 65 and older.
Premier Tim Houston said Tuesday that residents can start booking appointments immediately for the shots, fulfilling a promise he made during the campaign leading up to his Nov. 26 re-election.
The premier said during a news conference that he's hopeful the vaccination program, which is projected to cost $26 million in its first year, will help reduce the painful symptoms of the illness in older Nova Scotians.
"The vaccine is often just out of reach financially for too many people," Houston said. "We really want to be sure we remove the barriers."
The Health Department says the cost of two doses of vaccine is about $400 – too high for some seniors who want to receive them.
Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief medical officer, said during a news conference Tuesday that the new program covers both doses, including a booster two to six months after the first shot.
Nearly one in three Canadians will be affected by shingles, a viral infection that can cause painful, burning skin rashes and nerve pain.
Strang said preventing the impact of shingles reduces hospital admissions and medical complications that are related to the condition's symptoms.
"Shingles has a significant impact on the health system and by preventing shingles from happening in the first place, we'll have a significant return on this investment," he said.
Asked why the free vaccine wasn't being offered to younger people, Strang noted the starting point needs to be for older patients, as the risks of severe, prolonged nerve pain are higher.
Houston said he hasn't ruled out expanding the program at some point in the future.
Bill VanGorder, a spokesman for the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, said having to pay the cost of the vaccine in the past was a financial problem for seniors.
"A couple of hundred dollars for each of the shots people needed was a barrier. ... It made people think twice," he said.
"We've been talking about this for 10 years, so it's really good news."
VanGorder said recent surveys of the association members has shown a strong interest in taking the vaccine. "They (seniors) understand the need. They've seen what happened to their friends who had shingles, and how debilitating it can be," he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2025.
Michael Tutton, The Canadian Press
