There are calls from medical experts for Pharmac to fund a more effective vaccine for shingles, as cases of the viral infection are expected to rise as a result of COVID-19.
New research from the United States reveals that people over 50 years old who have contracted COVID-19 have an increased risk of also suffering from the painful condition.
While there's a Government-funded vaccine for shingles, the expensive alternative is believed to be much better.
Nelly Toia suffered excruciating pain from shingles not once, but three times in her life, first in her late 20s, then 30s, and in her 40s.
"I just about lost my nipple on my breast, my armpit fell away from my body, and I had a flap of skin falling off my back and it was rotten, rotting," she said.
The infection is caused by the same virus as chickenpox and causes the skin to come out in a rash and blisters, which affects one side of the body, mostly on the torso.
"The pain was excruciating. The pain was really, really severe," Toia said.
While it can happen at any age, your chances of getting shingles increase as you get older, and even more so if you've had COVID-19.
Because COVID-19 can mess with your immune system, the US research showed you're 15 percent more likely to get shingles if you're over 50 years old. That goes up to 21 percent if you went to hospital because of the virus.
Pharmac funds a shingles vaccine in New Zealand for people aged 65 years old called Zostavax, which offers short-term protection against some of the worst shingles symptoms. A much more effective vaccine is available called Shingrix, but comes with a hefty price tag.
It's $340 a shot and you need two doses, and some experts say this should be funded too.
"Given the new situation with COVID perhaps it's time to revisit this conversation because I think clearly we're going to be hit with a larger burden of shingles than we have already, and it is a burden already," said vaccinologist Dr Helen Petousis-Harris.
Toia ordered the new vaccine last week and is prepared to pay whatever it costs.
"I do know I have to pay for it, but I'm prepared to put my hand in my pocket because it's going to look after me because as you get older you never know what's around the corner," she said.
Because COVID-19 is the unwanted gift that keeps giving.
