An organization advocating for seniors has reported an enhancement in vaccine accessibility in New Brunswick, despite pointing out a persistent issue. CanAge, the group, rated New Brunswick at B-plus, placing it tied for third position alongside Newfoundland and Labrador and Yukon. The neighboring provinces of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island achieved higher ratings this year, with A-minus and A-plus grades, respectively.
Laura Tamblyn-Watts, the CEO of CanAge, emphasized the positive progress in New Brunswick. She mentioned that the province had previously received an F grade but has shown significant improvement by starting to fund crucial vaccines that were previously not covered.
Tamblyn-Watts noted that New Brunswick has made strides in the right direction by introducing senior-specific vaccines for influenza, pneumonia, RSV, and COVID. Additionally, the implementation of digital vaccine records in the province has streamlined the tracking of vaccination histories, eliminating the need for paper documents.
Despite the overall positive ranking for Atlantic Canada, Tamblyn-Watts highlighted a notable deficiency in New Brunswick’s vaccine coverage – the absence of the shingles vaccine. She emphasized the severity of shingles, mentioning its excruciating pain and potential for recurrence, which can lead to blindness.
Expressing concern, Tamblyn-Watts pointed out the financial burden individuals face due to the lack of shingles vaccine coverage, with prices ranging between $200 and $300 per shot. For those on fixed incomes, she emphasized the affordability challenges associated with this vaccine.
In conclusion, Tamblyn-Watts stressed the importance of widespread vaccination not only for individual health but also to alleviate the strain on healthcare systems by reducing hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
