Mokpo City Offers Free Shingles Vaccination for Basic Livelihood Security Recipients

Residents for Over 1 Year... Basic Livelihood Security Recipients Aged 65 and Over

Mokpo City will provide free shingles vaccinations this year for basic livelihood recipients aged 65 and older. (Photo by Mokpo City)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Hyeong-seok] Mokpo City announced on the 18th that it will provide free shingles vaccinations this year for basic livelihood security recipients aged 65 and older.

The vaccination targets are basic livelihood security recipients aged 65 and older who have an address in Mokpo City. They must bring a certificate or health insurance card proving their status and visit the Mokpo City Health Center or Hadang Health Branch. However, those who have previously received a shingles vaccination are excluded.

Last year, the city provided free shingles vaccinations to about 650 elderly basic livelihood security recipients aged 65 and older, and this year plans to expand free vaccinations to about 1,300 people.

Shingles is caused by the varicella virus dormant in the body. Its incidence rate is 8 to 10 times higher in the elderly compared to younger people, and after onset, symptoms tend to persist for a long time, often developing into postherpetic neuralgia. Therefore, more active prevention is necessary for elderly people with weakened immunity.

Although vaccination cannot guarantee 100% prevention of shingles, it significantly reduces the risk of complications, somewhat decreases neuralgia, and recent studies suggest it also lowers the incidence of stroke, according to academic opinions.

A representative of the Mokpo City Health Center said, “Many elderly people have recently suffered from shingles. Especially low-income groups often cannot afford the high cost of vaccination, so we hope they receive the free vaccination and live healthily.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.