Protect the older ones: Belt rose vaccination should finally be free!

Protect the older ones: Belt rose vaccination should finally be free!

An urgent appeal to public health security: In 2023, the federal government, the federal states and municipalities decided in the financial framework investments of 90 million euros for vaccination measures by 2028, but so far only fractions of this sum have been used for the belt rose vaccination. This particularly affects older people who suffer from the pain of belt rose due to the herpes zoster virus. The President of the Pension List Association, Dr. Peter Kostelka therefore demands that the Commission, which meets again at the end of April, will absorb the free vaccination against shingles into the public vaccination program. "The financial means are available," he said, emphasizing the immense suffering caused by this disease, according to a report by ots.at .

increasing vaccination costs and their effects

In addition, serious economic trends are speaking. Despite a record -breaking increase in the number of vaccination by 95 percent, the costs of vaccines have increased massively. If you look at gross turnover, there is an increase of 129 percent, even increased by 143 percent, as in a study by GKV-90ProZent.de . This explosion of the costs raises questions, especially in view of the aging population that continues to rely on extensive vaccinations.

Since 2018, the health authorities have had over 8.5 million prescribed vaccine doses, which leads to estimate that around 4.25 million insured persons are protected by the vaccinations. However, without clear guidelines for refresher vaccinations, the already tense financial situations could be further burdened in the future. The discussion about a free belt rose vaccination remains of the greatest relevance to secure the quality of life of the people affected and at the same time reduce the costs in the health system.