Seongnam City to Expand Zoster Vaccination Program with Inactivated Vaccine Support Following Live Vaccine Initiative

Seongnam City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor: Shin Sangjin) will provide support for recombinant zoster vaccine (inactivated vaccine) immunizations starting October 1, targeting citizens who are unable to receive live vaccines due to immunosuppression and other conditions.

Seongnam City Hall exterior. Provided by Seongnam City Hall

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This initiative aims to ensure health equity for individuals who were excluded from the live zoster vaccine support program, which has been in place since July, due to contraindications for vaccination. The eligible recipients include: low-income individuals aged 60 and older (basic livelihood security recipients and those in the next-lowest income bracket), as well as general citizens aged 65 and older who are contraindicated for live vaccines.

Contraindications for live vaccine administration include patients with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency (such as tumors, organ transplants, or autoimmune diseases), as well as those undergoing cancer treatment, radiation therapy, or immunosuppressive therapy.

Unlike live vaccines, the inactivated vaccine requires two doses. After the completion of the second dose, partial financial support is provided. General citizens will receive 77,900 won, equivalent to the purchase cost of the live vaccine, while low-income individuals will receive 97,510 won, covering both the purchase and administration costs of the live vaccine. Any additional expenses must be covered by the recipients themselves.

Vaccinations are available at 83 designated medical institutions in Seongnam City. Further details can be found on the public health center's website.

A Seongnam City official stated, "Through this inactivated vaccine support program, we will offer vaccination opportunities to citizens who were previously excluded from live vaccine immunizations, thereby enhancing health equity."

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