Shingles Vaccination Push Could Save Canada $816M, Boost Economic Resilience
Event summary
- Signal49 Research estimates an 80% shingles vaccination rate among Canadians 50+ could save $816M in healthcare costs.
- Current vaccination rate stands at 39%, with barriers including out-of-pocket costs and uneven provincial programming.
- Research funded by GSK Canada highlights potential 1.69 ROI from public investment in shingles vaccination.
- Nearly 40% of Canadian adults are now aged 50+, making healthy aging critical for national productivity.
The big picture
With nearly 40% of Canadians aged 50+, preventive healthcare measures like shingles vaccination are becoming critical economic levers. The research underscores how healthcare system strains from preventable conditions directly impact national productivity, making vaccination programs a strategic priority. The $816M cost savings estimate positions this as both a public health and economic resilience issue.
What we're watching
- Policy Coordination
- Whether Canada can develop a national prevention strategy despite provincial healthcare disparities.
- Vaccine Access
- How quickly provinces can address out-of-pocket costs and awareness barriers to boost vaccination rates.
- Economic Impact
- The pace at which improved vaccination rates could close Canada's national productivity gap.