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The majority of citizens in South Africa encounter difficulties in obtaining the shingles vaccine.

Shingles vaccine withdrawn in South Africa last year; newer, superior alternative unregistered and in use in other regions.

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Shingles vaccine, the sole option in South Africa, halted lastyear; now, a more advanced...
Shingles vaccine, the sole option in South Africa, halted lastyear; now, a more advanced alternative is in use abroad but yet to be approved locally.

The majority of citizens in South Africa encounter difficulties in obtaining the shingles vaccine.

South Africa Lacks Registered Shingrix Vaccine, Leaving High-Risk Patients Vulnerable

Shingles, a painful and potentially debilitating condition, commonly affects the elderly and individuals with weakened immune systems. Recognizable by a red rash and cluster of blisters on one side of the body, the virus can lead to complications such as strokes, vision loss, and hearing impairment, as warned by infectious disease specialist Prof. Jeremy Nel.

Two vaccines have been developed to prevent shingles: Zostavax and Shingrix. Zostavax, introduced by MSD in 2006 (and approved for use in South Africa in 2011), offers 51% protection against the virus in adults over 60. However, as the more efficient Shingrix, with a success rate of over 90%, has taken the market by storm, MSD ceased production and marketing of Zostavax in March 2024.

The superior protection offered by Shingrix prompted the discontinuation of Zostavax, leaving it unavailable in South Africa. While Shingrix has yet to be approved for use, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has submitted paperwork for approval to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).

In the absence of a registered vaccine, priority patients must apply for Section 21 authorization to import the unregistered Shingrix vaccine. This legal mechanism is intended for unregistered medications when there is an unmet medical need, but the process comes with a high financial burden and requires a time-consuming application to SAHPRA, which typically requires medical justification.

Dr. Albie de Frey, CEO of Travel Doctor Corporate, states that the two-dose Shingrix vaccine costs around R15,600 when acquired through Section 21 authorization. Priority patients who pursue this route usually cover the cost themselves, according to Dr. Leon Geffen, director of the Samson Institute for Ageing Research.

The Department of Health has not responded to inquiries regarding Section 21 authorization for priority patients in the public sector or any discussions with GSK about the product's price. Organ transplant recipients, who are at a higher risk of developing shingles due to immune system-suppressing medications, should ideally be prioritized for the vaccine.

The lack of a registered shingles vaccine in South Africa leaves many high-risk patients vulnerable to the virus. Priority patients who wish to protect themselves against shingles must navigate the Section 21 authorization process, at significant financial and time costs.

  1. The scientific community recognizes the importance of addressing medical conditions like chronic diseases, cancer, respiratory conditions, and digestive health, as well as eye-health, hearing, mental-health, and neurological disorders.
  2. In the field of workplace-wellness, the focus often includes fitness-and-exercise, sexual-health, autoimmune-disorders, skin-care, and skin-conditions.
  3. Ageing and its related health issues, such as cardiovascular-health, are significant concerns, particularly in the elderly population.
  4. Women's-health, including issues related to reproduction, parenting, and weight-management, also fall under the scope of health-and-wellness.
  5. Aging, mens-health, and certain medical-conditions may weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to diseases like shingles.
  6. Shingrix, a vaccine against shingles, offers over 90% protection, but its registration in South Africa is yet to be approved, leaving high-risk patients vulnerable.
  7. In the meantime, priority patients can apply for Section 21 authorization to import the unregistered Shingrix vaccine, a process that requires medical justification and comes with financial burden and time-consuming applications.
  8. The cost of the Shingrix vaccine through Section 21 authorization is approximately R15,600.
  9. Over the years, vaccines like Zostavax have been introduced to prevent shingles, but their protection rates are lower compared to Shingrix.
  10. Shingrix, with its higher efficiency, has replaced Zostavax in the market, but it is currently unavailable in South Africa.
  11. The Department of Health has not yet responded to inquiries regarding Section 21 authorization for priority patients in the public sector or any discussions about the product's price with GSK.
  12. Organ transplant recipients, who are at a higher risk of developing shingles due to immune system-suppressing medications, should ideally be prioritized for the vaccine.
  13. Besides vaccines, therapies-and-treatments, proper nutrition, and medicare are crucial components in managing health and wellness.
  14. The popularity of alternatives like CBD is also growing, as it is used to alleviate various health issues, from pain management to stress relief.

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