Naju City Provides 50% Support for Shingles Vaccination Costs for Those Aged 65 and Over

Published 15 May.2023 15:31(KST)

Naju City in Jeollanam-do has decided to support 50% of the cost of shingles vaccination for all citizens aged 65 and older, whose disease immunity is weakened, starting this year.

According to the Naju City Public Health Center on the 15th, shingles occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, which remains dormant in the body, is reactivated due to weakened immune function.

Vaccine Vaccination <br>Photo by Naju City

Vaccine Vaccination
Photo by Naju City

The incidence rate is higher among the elderly, who have relatively weaker immunity, and it appears as erythematous vesicles along the nerve ganglia, accompanied by severe pain and rash, making vaccination essential.

Considering the nationwide difficulty in securing vaccines at entrusted medical institutions, the city is working to procure vaccines and will support 50% of the vaccination cost from its own budget.

Since shingles vaccination is not part of the national mandatory immunization program, general citizens who are not basic livelihood security recipients or low-income individuals eligible for free vaccination must bear the full cost, which averages between 130,000 and 150,000 KRW.

The city has enacted and promulgated an ordinance to support shingles vaccination to prevent shingles and alleviate the economic burden on citizens. Once vaccine procurement is completed next month, full-scale vaccinations are expected to be conducted at public health centers and health branches.

The support target is all citizens aged 65 and older (born on or before December 31, 1958).

However, applicants must have their resident registration in Naju City and have lived there for more than one year, and must bring their ID and resident registration transcript.

Those who have already been vaccinated for shingles are excluded, and patients who have had shingles can be vaccinated 6 to 12 months after recovery.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “Shingles is a disease that is best prevented through vaccination, and I hope this support will greatly help elderly citizens who hesitated to get vaccinated due to the cost. We will do our best to secure vaccines smoothly and improve vaccination rates for a healthy Naju free from infectious diseases.”