Minister accused of 'age discrimination' over shingles vaccine row

by · Mail Online

A health minister has been accused of 'age discrimination' after telling a pensioner he was not getting a shingles vaccine because it would not make 'optimal use of NHS resources'.

The jab – which greatly reduces the chances of developing the viral skin condition – is offered to everyone when they turn 65 as well as those aged between 70 and 80. 

However, three million people aged between 66 and 69 are unable to get the shingles vaccine, called Shingrix.

One of those is 66-year-old John Coleshill, from Runcorn, who will have to wait more than three years before he can get the jab.

The former chemical processing worker wrote to his local Labour MP, Mike Amesbury – who was recently suspended after being charged with assault – to complain about the rule, which Mr Coleshill said was 'an injustice'. 

Earlier this month, Mr Coleshill received a response from Health Minister Andrew Gwynne who said he 'appreciates' his concerns but insisted he had not been 'disadvantaged by implementation of the new programme'. 

Mr Gwynne added: 'This approach means the rollout is quicker at this stage of the new programme change... and makes optimal use of NHS resources.'

But campaigners have argued the Government's stance puts those aged 66 to 69 in danger of developing shingles.

Health Minister Andrew Gwynne (pictured) has been accused of 'age discrimination' after telling a pensioner he was not getting a shingles vaccine because it would not make 'optimal use of NHS resources'
The jab – which greatly reduces the chances of developing the viral skin condition – is offered to everyone when they turn 65 as well as those aged between 70 and 80 (Stock image)

More than 50,000 elderly Britons develop shingles every year, and nearly one in four will suffer from it during their lives.

The condition is linked to chickenpox – the highly contagious infection that leads to spotty rashes, usually in children.

The virus that causes chickenpox – varicella-zoster – remains dormant in the spinal nerves for life, but as the immune system weakens it can trigger a painful red rash. About 50 Britons over 70 die from shingles each year.

Health officials claim the decision to offer the jab on a limited basis means more people will be vaccinated. But Dennis Reed, director of the campaign group Silver Voices, said this is 'a clear case of age discrimination'.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said the programme 'ensures an effective rollout' of the vaccine and followed 'careful consideration' of the benefits, adding: 'However, we appreciate the frustration some people feel and accept that our response to Mr Coleshill via his MP could have been better worded. We apologise for any upset caused.'