Namwon City Public Health Center to Expand 'Shingles Vaccination' Starting Next Year

Published 19 Dec.2023 16:10(KST)

The Namwon City Public Health Center in Jeonbuk (Health Center Director Han Yong-jae) announced on the 19th that starting next year, the target group for shingles vaccination will be expanded from the previous low-income and near-poverty groups aged 70 and above to include low-income and near-poverty groups aged 65 and above, as well as Namwon citizens aged 65 and above.

Namwon City Public Health Center will expand the administration of the 'Shingles Vaccination' starting next year. <br>[Photo by Namwon City]

Namwon City Public Health Center will expand the administration of the 'Shingles Vaccination' starting next year.
[Photo by Namwon City]

Shingles is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which remains dormant in the nerves after a previous chickenpox infection and reactivates when immunity decreases, causing rashes and blisters along the nerve ganglia.

The incidence of shingles is higher in the elderly with weakened immunity compared to younger age groups, and the disease causes severe pain and serious complications, so vaccination is recommended for prevention and symptom relief.

The shingles vaccination supported by Namwon City is available at local public health centers, health branches, and health clinics. The eligible recipients are Namwon citizens who are ① low-income individuals aged 65 and above (born on or before December 31, 1959, and classified as basic livelihood security recipients or near-poverty groups) and ② citizens aged 65 and above (born on or before December 31, 1959).

Low-income recipients aged 65 and above can choose between live attenuated vaccine and inactivated vaccine as before, while other citizens aged 65 and above can receive the inactivated vaccine.

The live attenuated vaccine for low-income individuals aged 65 and above is provided free of charge, and the inactivated vaccine is 70% subsidized, with some out-of-pocket expenses. Citizens aged 65 and above pay the full cost of the vaccine as it is a paid vaccination.

The live attenuated shingles vaccine has been continuously used domestically and has the advantage of completion with a single dose, while the inactivated vaccine requires two doses, is more expensive, but offers higher preventive efficacy and longer-lasting protection.

Both live attenuated and inactivated vaccines can be administered even if the person has had shingles before, and can be given simultaneously with pneumococcal, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccinations for the elderly.

However, live attenuated vaccine is not allowed for immunocompromised individuals, cancer patients, or those who have previously received the live attenuated shingles vaccine; in these cases, the inactivated vaccine can be administered.

Han Yong-jae, Director of the Namwon City Public Health Center, stated, “Since shingles incidence is high among the elderly with weakened immunity, we strongly encourage vaccination in advance for prevention.”