Opole launches free shingles vaccination program for seniors

The city of Opole is launching a free shingles vaccination program for residents aged 55 and older. Registration for the initiative begins on Monday, August 24. The city has allocated nearly 190,000 PLN to the program, which aims to provide two free doses of the vaccine to over one hundred qualified individuals. Due to the limited number of available spots, registration is subject to availability.

Shingles is caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox, which can remain dormant in nerve tissues and reactivate later in life, particularly as immunity weakens. Medical professionals note that the condition can cause painful rashes and severe complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia—a chronic, intense pain that can last for months or years. In rare instances, the disease may lead to hearing or vision loss.