As the number of shingles vaccinations among older adults has steadily increased, the government must work out measures, including free vaccinations for the elderly and vulnerable people, a lawmaker said Monday.

Rep. In Jae-geun of the Democratic Party of Korea made these and other points based on analyzing data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

According to Rep. In, the number of people vaccinated against shingles increased for three consecutive years from July 2021 to July 2023. The vaccination number totaled 489,572 in 2021, 535,720 in 2022, and 607,354 in 2023 (until July). The number of shingles vaccinations in the first seven months of this year has already surpassed the total number in 2022.

By age, those in their 50s had the most with 195,979, followed by those in their 60s with 191,403, and those in their 70s with 111,396. The number of vaccinated people aged 80 and more was 55,935, far more than 32,872 vaccinated people over 80 in 2022.

Vaccination is essential for older adults because immunity to the shingles virus declines with age. According to statistics from the National Health Insurance Service, 306,365 patients aged 60 and older received shingles treatment in 2022, accounting for 43.5 percent of the total 703,636.

There are three types of shingles vaccines in Korea -- Zostavax, SKY Zoster, and Shingrix. According to data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), as of 2022, the cost of vaccination was up to 400,000 won ($301.8) for Zostavax and 300,000 won for SKY Zoster. Shingrix, known to have a 97.2 percent antibody production rate for people over 50, is not included in the HIRA’s survey of non-reimbursed medical expenses.

"The cost of shingles vaccination is high, and the burden on the public is increasing. In response, some local governments have implemented shingles vaccination support projects for residents or vulnerable people under certain conditions. Still, they are limited to specific areas, and the amount of support for a single dose varies by localities,” In said. “In addition, some local governments’ support amount is very small. In Seocho-gu, Seoul, for example, the amount of support for a single dose is 19,610 won, one-eighth of the 170,000 won in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province."

Currently, shingles vaccination is not reimbursed, while diagnosis treatment and treatment are covered by insurance. In pointed out that this is criticized as a reimbursement system that completely reverses the pre- and post-treatment system. Last year, he added that the cost of health insurance benefits for shingles treatment alone amounted to about 112.6 billion won.

"As studies have shown that shingles vaccination can reduce the risk of dementia by 25 to 30 percent, the health authorities should accelerate discussions on measures, including free shingles vaccination for older adults and the vulnerable," Rep. In said.