Naju City in Jeollanam-do will expand the support for shingles vaccination costs from the current age of 63 to all citizens aged 60 and above starting next month.
According to the city on the 20th, shingles occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, which remains dormant in the body in an inactive state, is reactivated due to weakened immune function.
The incidence rate is higher among the elderly, who generally have weaker immunity, and it appears as erythematous vesicular lesions along the nerve ganglia, accompanied by severe pain and rash, making vaccination essential.
The vaccination cost support policy has been implemented since June last year to promote healthy aging among the elderly with declining immune function.
To alleviate the financial burden of vaccination costs, which range from 100,000 to 150,000 KRW out-of-pocket, the city currently supports 50% of the vaccination cost for all citizens aged 65 and older.
Considering the increased policy response due to affordable costs and vaccine effectiveness, the city lowered the eligible age to 63 in the first half of this year and plans to further lower it by three years to 60 starting in the second half to expand the support target.
The support target includes all Naju citizens aged 60 or older who have been registered residents in the jurisdiction for more than one year.
Those who have already been vaccinated for shingles are excluded, and patients who have had shingles can be vaccinated within 6 to 12 months after recovery.
The personal payment amount is 38,000 KRW, and residents must bring a resident registration abstract when visiting.
Basic livelihood security recipients and low-income households aged 65 and older can receive free vaccination by presenting a resident registration abstract and supporting documents.
Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “We hope this will help citizens who hesitated to get the shingles vaccination due to cost burdens to maintain a healthy daily life,” adding, “We will continue to do our best to secure vaccines and expand the support target so that more citizens can benefit from vaccination.”
Naju = Kim Yuk-bong, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr
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