Shingles Vaccination Rates Lag in Bavaria, Leaving Millions Vulnerable
A concerningly low rate of shingles vaccination among older adults in Bavaria is leaving millions susceptible to a perhaps debilitating disease. An evaluation by the Barmer health insurance company reveals that only 15.4 percent of residents aged 60 and over are fully vaccinated against shingles, placing the region in the penultimate position nationwide.
The growing Threat of Shingles
Shingles, clinically known as herpes zoster, is a painful condition caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox pathogen. It typically manifests as a blistering rash, but can led to severe complications including blindness and chronic nerve pain requiring long-term opioid treatment. A weakened immune system, often due to age, stress, or underlying illness, is a primary driver of the disease.
according to the data, approximately 3.3 million Bavarians over the age of 60 lack sufficient vaccination protection, despite the Standing Vaccination Commission and health insurance providers recommending the vaccine and covering its cost. The risk of developing shingles increases considerably with age; individuals over 80 are almost twice as likely to contract the disease as their younger counterparts, and they face a higher risk of complications.
Dramatic Impact of Vaccination
The benefits of vaccination are significant. Without vaccination,33 out of every 100 people will develop herpes zoster in their lifetime. However, vaccination reduces this risk dramatically, to just 3 out of 100. A complete herpes zoster vaccination can prevent the majority of shingles cases.
Wide Disparities in Access to Care
The Barmer analysis, based on data from 1.1 million insured individuals in Bavaria between 2017 and 2023, also highlights notable inconsistencies in vaccination rates among general practitioners’ practices. Vaccination rates for those over 60 range from zero to 69 percent per practice. Even among the top 10 percent of practices with the highest vaccination rates, only one-third of eligible patients have received the vaccine.
“Whether someone receives the vaccination should not depend on their family doctor,” stated a senior official at Barmer.The health insurance fund suggests implementing a reminder system within the electronic patient file to automatically alert physicians to upcoming vaccination needs.
The Standing vaccination Commission recently expanded its recommendation to include individuals as young as 18, acknowledging the increasing risk and potential severity of shingles. Despite this broadened recommendation, uptake remains low, particularly in Bavaria.
The data underscores a critical public health challenge: ensuring equitable access to preventative care and increasing awareness of the significant benefits of shingles vaccination.
Why is this happening? Low vaccination rates in Bavaria are attributed to significant disparities in access to care and inconsistent practices among general practitioners. While the vaccine is recommended and covered by insurance, rates vary drastically-from 0% to 69%-depending on the doctor’s office.
Who is affected? Approximately 3.3 million Bavarians over the age of 60 are currently unprotected against shingles. The risk is particularly high for those over 80, who are almost twice as likely to contract the disease and experience severe complications. The recent expansion of the recommendation to include adults as young as 18 means a broader population is now eligible.
What is being done? The Barmer health insurance company analyzed data from 1.1 million insured individuals between 2017 and 2023 to reveal the problem. Barmer is advocating for a reminder system within electronic patient files to prompt doctors to discuss vaccination with eligible patients.
