Quebec is expanding free access to the shingles vaccine to adults aged 71 to 74 in an effort to reduce infections and serious complications linked to the disease.
Health Minister Sonia Bélanger announced the change today, saying the expanded eligibility will take effect Feb. 1. The vaccine has been offered free of charge to people aged 75 and over since April 2024, as well as to immunocompromised individuals aged 18 and up.
Eligible residents will be able to book appointments through Clic Santé or by phone and receive the vaccine at local service points or participating community pharmacies.
Health officials say the two-dose, inactivated shingles vaccine provides long-term protection of at least 10 years and is highly effective in preventing complications such as postherpetic neuralgia, a painful condition that can last for months. The vaccine also helps reduce hospitalizations and deaths.
“I encourage all those eligible for this free vaccination to take advantage of the opportunity to protect themselves,” Bélanger said in a statement, calling shingles complications painful, debilitating and, in some cases, fatal.
Quebec records about 27,000 shingles cases each year, leading to roughly 600 hospitalizations and 10 deaths. Since the vaccination campaign began in May 2023, more than 1.25 million doses have been administered.
The expansion follows recommendations from the Quebec Immunization Committee and is expected to give hundreds of thousands more Quebecers access to protection against the disease.
