Surprised by the 230,000 Won Shingles Vaccination Fee: "It Was Only 15,000 Won There..."

Vaccination Fees Vary Greatly by Medical Institution
Supply Prices Differ and Are Set by Hospitals

In a situation where more than 200,000 won must be paid for a single dose of the shingles vaccine, it has been found that the cost of shingles vaccination varies significantly across hospitals. In some medical institutions, the price difference was up to 15 times.

Shingles is reported to occur at least once in 10-30% of people when the body's immunity is lowered. It causes severe pain along with skin rashes and blisters. Since there is no proper treatment, prevention is most important.

According to data received on the 20th by Kim Young-joo, a member of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee from the Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the shingles vaccines used in domestic medical institutions are Zostavax and Sky Zoster.

Shingles vaccination is a non-reimbursable medical service item, so health insurance benefits do not apply. Patients bear the full cost, and medical institutions autonomously set the vaccination fees. Therefore, price differences among hospitals are inevitable.

In 2021, the average vaccination price for Zostavax was 166,028 won, and at the cheapest place, it was possible to get vaccinated for 15,000 won.

At that time, the most expensive vaccination price for this vaccine was 230,000 won, which was a staggering 15 times higher than the lowest price.

In 2021, the average vaccination price based on Sky Zoster was 146,458 won, the cheapest was 40,000 won, and the most expensive was up to 230,000 won.

In 2022, the average vaccination cost was 145,803 won, with a minimum of 80,000 won and a maximum of 300,000 won. In 2023, the average vaccination price was 145,979 won, with a minimum price of 80,000 won and a maximum price of 300,000 won.

This price difference is analyzed to be influenced by the difference in vaccine supply unit prices affecting the vaccination prices.

From 2021 to August of this year, the average supply unit price of Sky Zoster was around 77,000 won annually. During this period, the highest supply prices were 341,000 won, 161,000 won, and 150,000 won per year, respectively.

During the same period, the average supply unit price of Zostavax was generally in the low 90,000 won range, with the highest supply prices per year being 170,000 won, 160,000 won, and 180,000 won.

In addition, some unscrupulous medical institutions purchase vaccines cheaply and charge patients exorbitant vaccination fees, making large profits. Management and supervision by relevant authorities are necessary regarding this issue.

Assembly member Kim Young-joo pointed out, "The number of people feeling the need for shingles vaccination is gradually increasing," and added, "Even though it is a non-reimbursable item, related institutions such as the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service must urgently step up management and supervision."

More than 700,000 shingles patients occur steadily every year. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of shingles-related patients in the past three years was ▲724,000 in 2020 ▲725,000 in 2021 ▲712,000 in 2022. Up to August this year, about 510,000 shingles patients have been reported.

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