Taitung County to Launch Shingles Vaccine Subsidy for Low-Income and Elderly Residents Starting May 5
Taitung County will begin providing subsidized shingles vaccines on May 5, 2026, targeting low-income households aged 50+ and elderly residents with chronic conditions. The program aims to reduce the financial burden of the high-cost vaccine (approx. NT$8,000-9,500) and protect vulnerable groups from severe complications.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 15:24
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 15:32 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 20:30 (4h 58m after Collected)
To strengthen public immunity against the herpes zoster virus (shingles), Taitung County will launch a vaccine subsidy program on May 5. The program is available to registered residents of Taitung County who are 50 years or older from low-income or middle-low-income households, or 65 years or older (55 for Indigenous residents) with high-risk diseases.
Taitung County Magistrate Rao Ching-ling stated that shingles, often called 'Skin Snake' in local terms, frequently occurs in adults over 50. The incidence rate has been rising annually, and infection can cause severe skin pain and long-term neuralgia, significantly affecting quality of life. While vaccination is highly effective, the cost is high—approximately NT$8,000 to NT$9,500 per dose—deterring many from getting protected.
To ease the burden on vulnerable groups and the elderly, and to reduce the pain and inconvenience caused by the disease, the Taitung County Government has planned this subsidy for 2026 to make immunization more accessible and affordable.
The Taitung Health Bureau explained that the vaccination process will be conducted in three phases:
Phase 1 (May 5–18): Open to low-income or middle-low-income residents aged 50+ at their local health centers.
Phase 2 (May 19–June 1): Open to residents aged 65+ (55+ for Indigenous) with high-risk conditions (such as cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, asthma, COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, or those using immunosuppressants) at their local health centers.
Phase 3 (Starting June 2): Eligible residents can receive vaccinations at health centers outside their local township.
A total of 900 doses of the shingles vaccine have been procured for 2026. Vaccines will be distributed based on the population size of eligible residents in each township. If a township's allocation is exhausted during the first phase, the program there will end early. Eligible residents should bring their NHI card, ID card, and proof of status (low-income certificate or medical diagnosis within 6 months) to the health center for walk-in registration.
Shingles vaccines require two doses, spaced 2 to 6 months apart. Those who receive the first dose should note the interval for the second. Completing the full two-dose course provides 90% protection, which remains at 87.7% even after 11 years. Eligible residents are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Taitung County Magistrate Rao Ching-ling stated that shingles, often called 'Skin Snake' in local terms, frequently occurs in adults over 50. The incidence rate has been rising annually, and infection can cause severe skin pain and long-term neuralgia, significantly affecting quality of life. While vaccination is highly effective, the cost is high—approximately NT$8,000 to NT$9,500 per dose—deterring many from getting protected.
To ease the burden on vulnerable groups and the elderly, and to reduce the pain and inconvenience caused by the disease, the Taitung County Government has planned this subsidy for 2026 to make immunization more accessible and affordable.
The Taitung Health Bureau explained that the vaccination process will be conducted in three phases:
Phase 1 (May 5–18): Open to low-income or middle-low-income residents aged 50+ at their local health centers.
Phase 2 (May 19–June 1): Open to residents aged 65+ (55+ for Indigenous) with high-risk conditions (such as cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, asthma, COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, or those using immunosuppressants) at their local health centers.
Phase 3 (Starting June 2): Eligible residents can receive vaccinations at health centers outside their local township.
A total of 900 doses of the shingles vaccine have been procured for 2026. Vaccines will be distributed based on the population size of eligible residents in each township. If a township's allocation is exhausted during the first phase, the program there will end early. Eligible residents should bring their NHI card, ID card, and proof of status (low-income certificate or medical diagnosis within 6 months) to the health center for walk-in registration.
Shingles vaccines require two doses, spaced 2 to 6 months apart. Those who receive the first dose should note the interval for the second. Completing the full two-dose course provides 90% protection, which remains at 87.7% even after 11 years. Eligible residents are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.