Manitobans continue to foot the cost of shingles shot – Winnipeg [Video]

Manitobans seeking the shingles vaccine have to empty their pockets before rolling up their sleeves.

The two-dose Shingrix vaccine — the only shingles immunization currently approved in Canada — costs roughly $300. Four of Canada’s provinces and territories cover the cost for eligible residents; Manitoba isn’t one of them.

“I think that there still is a lot of people who are surprised that it’s not covered provincially because it is a vaccine that is recommended,” said Pharmacists Manitoba practice adviser Britt Kural.

“I think the number of adults who’ve received this vaccine in Manitoba is much lower than what we’d like to see because the cost of the vaccine can be quite significant.”

The vaccine offers protection against the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chicken pox. While anyone who has had chicken pox still has the virus in their system, flareups in older adulthood are typically more severe.

“They can cause very painful blisters. They also …