The Public Health office in Wrangell is letting it be known that vaccinations for shingles, or zoster, are still available, but beginning Jan. 1 people aged 65 years and over will no longer be able to receive the state-subsidized vaccines.
The program is being cut due to rising costs. The price to receive a zoster vaccine is currently set at $28.
“After that it’ll be $250, or whatever the market will bear,” Nurse Ty Esposito explained. The sliding scale will also not be in effect for the shots.
Shingles is a viral disease affecting the skin in the form of a blistered rash, which can be painful and even dangerous to adults suffering from it.
People needing their shots are advised to call the office at 874-3615 today to make an appointment before the deadline arrives.
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