Lawmaker Urges Free First Dose of Shingles Vaccine; Hsinchu City Promises Policy Adjustment
DPP Hsinchu City Councilor Chen Jian-ming pointed out during a city council question session on June 4 that the high cost (nearly NT$20,000) of the shingles vaccine leads to low vaccination rates. He proposed that the city government fully subsidize the first dose for residents. The Hsinchu City Health Bureau responded that it will comprehensively evaluate fiscal and public health benefits and make rolling policy adjustments.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 19:09
- 🔍 Collected: June 4, 2026 at 19:16 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 6, 2026 at 15:35 (44h 19m after Collected)
(Central News Agency reporter Lu Gang-jun, Hsinchu City, 4th) DPP Hsinchu City Councilor Chen Jian-ming stated that the high cost of the shingles vaccine leads to low vaccination rates and suggested the city government fully subsidize the first dose for residents. The Hsinchu City Health Bureau said it will comprehensively evaluate fiscal and public health benefits and make rolling policy adjustments.
Chen Jian-ming questioned during the Hsinchu City Council today, pointing out that shingles, commonly known as "snake herpes," causes extreme pain when it flares up. Although a vaccine provides over 90% protection for more than 10 years, the vaccination rate among people over 50 or those with weakened immune systems across Taiwan is low. He believes the main reason is that completing the two-dose regimen costs nearly NT$20,000, a high burden that deters many people.
Chen Jian-ming argued that Hsinchu City's current subsidy of only NT$2,000 is clearly insufficient to effectively boost residents' willingness to get vaccinated. Given Hsinchu City's current sound financial situation, he suggested the city government at least provide a free first-dose subsidy for residents to increase incentives and substantially reduce the financial burden on the elderly, protecting them from the suffering of shingles.
The Hsinchu City Health Bureau stated in a written response to CNA that the shingles vaccine subsidy is a public health policy for health promotion. The city government will continue to monitor the implementation status in other counties and cities and the long-term benefits of the vaccine. It will conduct expert meetings to comprehensively evaluate fiscal capacity and public health benefits, making rolling policy adjustments. (Editor: Zhang Ya-jing) 1150604
Chen Jian-ming questioned during the Hsinchu City Council today, pointing out that shingles, commonly known as "snake herpes," causes extreme pain when it flares up. Although a vaccine provides over 90% protection for more than 10 years, the vaccination rate among people over 50 or those with weakened immune systems across Taiwan is low. He believes the main reason is that completing the two-dose regimen costs nearly NT$20,000, a high burden that deters many people.
Chen Jian-ming argued that Hsinchu City's current subsidy of only NT$2,000 is clearly insufficient to effectively boost residents' willingness to get vaccinated. Given Hsinchu City's current sound financial situation, he suggested the city government at least provide a free first-dose subsidy for residents to increase incentives and substantially reduce the financial burden on the elderly, protecting them from the suffering of shingles.
The Hsinchu City Health Bureau stated in a written response to CNA that the shingles vaccine subsidy is a public health policy for health promotion. The city government will continue to monitor the implementation status in other counties and cities and the long-term benefits of the vaccine. It will conduct expert meetings to comprehensively evaluate fiscal capacity and public health benefits, making rolling policy adjustments. (Editor: Zhang Ya-jing) 1150604