Luís Mendão: "For those at risk, the vaccine against the Zone should be free"

Luís Mendão, director of advocacy, health policies and external relations at GAT, defends the availability of the vaccine against Herpes Zoster (HZ), which causes shingles, in the National Vaccination Program (PNV) for people who are immunocompromised or who have risk factors. to risk groups, such as people living with HIV.

“Zone is a very disabling disease that can last for a long time and often leaves consequences”, warned the head of the GAT in a recent interview with CMTV. “The pain is excruciating,” he added.

The vaccine already exists, it was approved more than a year ago and is recommended for everyone, regardless of their health status, over 50 years of age.

Countries in Europe ahead in vaccination

The GAT argues that Portugal should follow the example of Germany, Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, among other countries, which have already included the vaccine against Zona, in their PNV, for the immunocompromised population.

Similar to the GAT's official position, Luís Mendão stressed that “people with low immunity, such as those undergoing cancer treatments and people with transplants, have a very high incidence of Zone” and should therefore be protected.

“From our point of view, what we asked the Assembly of the Republic for is that for especially vulnerable patients, regardless of age, the vaccine be proposed by doctors and be free of charge”, he said.

Cost-effective investment
Independent studies indicate that investment in vaccinating adults is highly cost-effective, with a high return over time, through increased productivity, economic growth, reduced work absenteeism and savings in health and social security costs. Scientific data even suggests a return of 4 euros for every 1 euro invested in vaccination.

In the case of the Zone and the resulting complications, it is estimated that medical care costs are around 105 million euros per year, in a country like Germany, and the costs related to work absenteeism for patients and their caregivers are still higher than those accounted for the provision of health care. On average, a person with shingles is on sick leave for around 12.5 days/per episode and, in the case of affected individuals, people affected by post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), the main complication of shingles, this period can reach two months.

Photo: João Porfírio