Japan to include shingles jab in national vaccination programme for the elderly

Under the new plan, individuals

aged 65

will be eligible for the vaccine, with public funds covering part of the expense, Japanese daily the Asahi Shimbun reported on

Dec 18.

The ministry’s expert panel approved the measure on

Dec 18

. For a transitional period of five years, the programme will also provide coverage for those aged 66 and older.

Shingles, medically known as

herpes zoster

, is a condition caused by the

varicella-zoster virus

. It is characterised by sharp, burning pain and blistering rashes that often follow nerve pathways along the body or face.

Up to

50 per cent of those infected

experience prolonged nerve pain that can persist for months or even years.

Currently, two types of shingles vaccines are approved in Japan: a

live vaccine

that requires a single dose and costs about 10,000 yen (S$87), and a recombinant vaccine for around 40,000 yen that is administered in two doses.

These vaccines are available to individuals aged

50 and abov

e, and those 18 and older with an increased risk due to immune system deficiencies or other health issues. At present, patients must bear the

full cost unless local

governments offer subsidies.

According to the Asahi Shimbun, the health ministry said its initiative aims to vaccinate individuals at age 65 to optimise immunity by their 70s, when most shingles cases surface.

Additionally, the programme will extend the eligibility to those aged

60 to 64

with weakened immunity from conditions such as HIV.

Shingles is caused by the

same

virus responsible for chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox during childhood, the virus stays dormant in the body and may

be triggered

later in life, particularly when the immune system weakens.