A week before he fell ill, Robert Bakewell was his usual, spritely self—88 years young, independent, energetic, and full of life. Within days, he was covered in an excruciately painful rash, leaving him unable to eat and barely able to speak. Nine agonizing months later, he was dead, his body ravaged by the shingles virus, which could have been prevented by vaccination.
Mr. Bakewell had been a vibrant member of the Phillip Island community in Victoria, living independently and getting about with the aid of a walking stick. His daughter, Libby Bakewell, described him as "gregarious and funny and outgoing and energetic." Unfortunately, after a weekend of sleeping and mild temperatures, she took her father to visit their GP, who recognized the rash as potentially being shingles.
Shingles is caused when the chickenpox virus reactivates in the body, leading to severe pain and sometimes debilitating health issues. Ms. Bakewell recalls how her father developed what she described as a "horrendous" rash covering his scalp, neck, back, chest, and even inside his ear within 48 hours. "The pain was excruciated— it just got worse and worse," she told the AAP. His condition deteriorated to the point where he could barely speak and suffered immense pain.
The situation became dire. Doctors prescribed him every available pain medication, but he remained miserable. Realizing he required full-time care, Ms. Bakewell placed her father first in respite care and eventually moved him to full-time aged care when he didn't improve. "It was so against what his wishes were, because he was so active. To find himself in aged care was traumatic for him—he just went downhill," she reflected.
Mr. Bakewell became immobile. He transitioned from using a walking stick to needing a walker, then a wheelchair, and finally required assistance to be lifted from one chair to another. "He had horrendous wounds... the pain level was equivalent to a third-degree burn," Ms. Bakewell recounted. Witnessing her father endure such suffering was traumatic for her, leading her to say, "I don't want to see anybody going through this when it's preventable."
This heartbreaking personal story highlights broader national concerns. A recent report by Painaustralia, titled "It's Not Just a Rash," documents the severe toll shingles takes on affected individuals and their families, gathering insights from over 100 Australians. It found alarming statistics: 92 percent experienced nerve pain, with half reporting symptoms lasting longer than 12 months. Many were unable to work, perform daily activities, or care for themselves.
During this year's Shingles Awareness Week, eligible Australians are being encouraged to talk to their GPs about receiving the free two-dose vaccination to prevent shingles. Individuals over 65, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 50, and vulnerable under-18s can receive this vaccination at no cost. “Expanding vaccine access will not only prevent individual suffering but also reduce the economic burden of this preventable disease,” explained Monika Boogs, CEO of Painaustralia.
Boogs pointed out the significant gap for those aged 50 to 65, who often face challenges accessing the vaccine due to its high cost. The repercussions of shingles are not only personal; they extend to economic strains as many individuals reported losing income and experiencing financial hardship—over half the respondents in the Painaustralia report noted their ability to work was significantly impacted due to the virus.
Finally, it is pivotal to urge the community to take proactive measures against shingles. Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent the painful and debilitating effects of this viral infection. With the right awareness and access, the impact of shingles and its associated economic burden can be significantly mitigated, ensuring fewer Australians endure the pain and suffering faced by Robert Bakewell.