Gwangju Nam-gu, Free Shingles Vaccination for Basic Livelihood Security Elderly

Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, will start offering free shingles vaccinations this year for vulnerable elderly people living alone.

On the 21st, Nam-gu announced, "As the incidence rate increases with age, we will implement a new project to provide free shingles vaccinations for vulnerable elderly people starting from the 25th to prevent shingles, which threatens the healthy lives of the elderly."

Shingles is a disease that causes severe pain and is highly contagious, leading to various complications. It commonly occurs not only in people with weakened immune systems but also in younger individuals due to overwork and stress.

It is especially known as a representative disease that lowers quality of life by causing blisters on the skin accompanied by itching and severe pain.

The reason for implementing the free shingles vaccination project is that the vaccination cost ranges from 120,000 to 150,000 KRW, which poses a financial burden on vulnerable elderly people living alone.

Accordingly, Nam-gu will invest 45 million KRW this year to provide free vaccinations to vulnerable elderly residents aged 75 or older, born on or before December 31, 1949, who have lived in Nam-gu for more than two years, are single-person households receiving basic living subsidies, and have no history of shingles vaccination.

However, elderly people with no immunity, those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, those receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy, those with severe allergic reactions to vaccine components such as gelatin and neomycin, and patients with AIDS or active tuberculosis are excluded from vaccination.

As of the end of last year, there were 1,229 single-person households aged 75 or older receiving basic living subsidies in the district. Nam-gu plans to start with 500 eligible individuals this year and gradually expand the free vaccination program annually.

Elderly people wishing to receive the free vaccination should make a reservation in advance at the Health Promotion Division of Nam-gu Office and visit the vaccination room on the 5th floor of the district office with their ID.

A Nam-gu official stated, "Since the number of free vaccinations this year is limited to 500, elderly people who wish to be vaccinated should make their reservations promptly. Those who cannot be vaccinated due to exceeding the quota will be given priority next year. We will do our best to promote this project for the healthy aging of vulnerable elderly people."