Expansion of publicly funded shingles vaccine, free vaccination for those aged 50 and above in Pingtung

Eligible people can go to the health center to make an appointment to register for vaccination.

[Reporter Ye Yongqian/Pingtung Report] The Pingtung County Government has expanded the public-funded herpes zoster vaccine subsidy from now on, and has lowered the original subsidy age threshold from 65 to 50 years old. Anyone who is "registered in Pingtung County and is over 50 years old and belongs to low-income or low-middle-income households and has a history of herpes zoster, serious injuries, or immunocompromised groups" can prepare relevant supporting documents and go to the health center counter to make an appointment for vaccination.

The Health Bureau stated that herpes zoster, commonly known as "skin snake", is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox-shingles virus. It is more likely to occur in people over 50 years old and those with low immunity. When the virus relapses, the skin will appear red rashes and blisters distributed along the ganglia, and may be complicated by neuralgia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults over the age of 50 and those over the age of 18 who are immunocompromised or immunocompromised receive the shingles vaccine. The county government has lowered the original subsidy age threshold from 65 to 50 in consideration of the health needs and disease risks of vulnerable groups.

The Health Bureau explained that the expanded subsidy targets must meet three qualifications: 1. People over 50 years old registered in Pingtung County. 2. Qualified as a low-income household or a low- to middle-income household. 3. Those who have a history of herpes zoster, serious injuries or illnesses, or belong to a group with low immune function (such as human immunodeficiency virus infection, cancer, diabetes, etc.) or who have been evaluated by a doctor as having low immune function.

The Health Bureau reminds that this subsidized vaccine is an inactive herpes zoster vaccine and requires a total of 2 doses. The second dose must be completed within 2 to 6 months after the first dose to obtain complete protection. Eligible people are asked to bring their health insurance card and other relevant documents to the health center for "appointment registration at the counter." Relevant information can be found on the official website of the Pingtung County Government Health Bureau, or by calling the epidemic prevention hotline (08) 7380208.

Pingtung County expands herpes zoster vaccine subsidy targets.