Andorra to offer free SHINGRIX shingles vaccine to all 65-year-olds from 2026

Andorra’s Ministry of Health will add vaccination against herpes zoster to the national immunisation schedule for all people aged 65 in 2026, and the programme will be offered free of charge. The ministry said it will publish full logistical and administration details at the start of next year.

To enable the wider rollout, the ministry has begun acquiring SHINGRIX® — the only herpes zoster vaccine authorised by the European Medicines Agency — at a cost of €120.25 per dose. The vaccine is not currently part of the adult vaccination schedule, although doctors prescribe it for certain at‑risk groups.

Health officials said the move aims to broaden protection against a disease that can cause severe complications in older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Studies show the vaccine reduces the risk of developing shingles and, importantly, lowers the chance of complications such as postherpetic neuralgia.

Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox in childhood. After chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in nerve roots and reactivate years later, producing a painful, localized skin rash. In some cases, nerve pain in the affected area persists after the rash heals and can last for months or years.

The ministry said the introduction of SHINGRIX into the 2026 adult immunisation calendar is intended to protect a population considered at higher risk of serious outcomes from the disease; further details on how and when eligible residents will be invited for vaccination will follow with the upcoming release.