His recent statement National Adult Immunization Program for 2023 contains a highly problematic vaccination recommendation shingles: we were all waiting for the introduction in Greece of the latest and most effective vaccine (approved over the years European Medicines Agency), there were also relevant recommendations from Hellenic Society of Infections for preferring this vaccine two weeks ago, but… we counted without regard to the National Immunization Committee, which did NOT make the new vaccine available except to immunocompromised people.

There are two vaccines: Zostavax, a weakened virus vaccine available in Greece for many years free of charge for people aged 60-75 years, but with a contraindication for immunocompromised persons, and Shingrix, a vaccine containing a recombinant virus protein, without such a contraindication, a vaccine, which has not yet been available in Greece.

• I am not giving you an effective vaccine, even if the experts recommend otherwise, even if the practice is different in many advanced countries of the world.
• Do we not mind doing the least effective ones (or are we already tired of saving)?
• Will there be a reasonable reaction from the Hellenic Infection Society? Perhaps you should also ask the members of the Vaccination Committee, who are specialists in infectious diseases.
• Will there be a backlash from medical societies? It must.
• Will there be clarification from the National Committee for Vaccination regarding this paradoxical decision?

* Giorgos Pappas – pathologist