Subsidy for the Cost of Vaccination for Shingles (Optional Vaccination)

The system for the shingles vaccine is scheduled to change from April 1, 2025.

In Inagi City, from October 2023, we have been implementing partial subsidies for the optional shingles vaccine (vaccination not based on the Vaccination Law) using the city's assistance. It is expected that from April 2025, the shingles vaccine will become a regular vaccination based on the Vaccination Law.

The target recipients for regular vaccinations are those aged 65 and older, individuals aged 60 to under 65 with immune dysfunction due to the human immunodeficiency virus, and as a transitional measure for five years, those aged in five-year increments of 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 years old (only for those aged 100 and above in the fiscal year 2027).

Note: The documents required to receive the current subsidy program ("Notice Regarding Cost Subsidy" and "Subsidy Voucher (Vaccination Pre-Examination Form)") are available at designated medical institutions within Inagi City. If you wish to receive the vaccination, please apply directly to the designated medical institution. (They will not be sent to your home)

Subsidy for the Cost of Vaccination for Shingles (Optional Vaccination) in Fiscal Year 2024

Please check the details of the grant below.

Eligible Individuals

Those who meet all of the following conditions at the time of vaccination

1. Residents registered in Inagi City
2. Persons aged 50 and over
3. Those who have never received assistance for the optional shingles vaccine

Subsidy Period (Fiscal Year 2024)

From April 1, 2024 (Monday) to March 31, 2025 (Monday)

Number of Grants and Amount

We will subsidize part of the vaccination costs for either of the vaccines listed below.
Please pay the difference between the vaccination cost set by the designated medical institution and the subsidy amount to the designated medical institution.

Number and Amount of Grants

	Type of Vaccine	Number of Grants	Grant Amount
1	Live Vaccine (Biken)	Up to once	4,000 yen
2	Inactivated Vaccine (Shingrix)	Up to 2 times	10,000 yen per time

• Note 1: Financial assistance can be received only once in a lifetime (either one live vaccine or two inactivated vaccines).
• Note 2: There is no exemption from self-payment for recipients of Public Assistance, etc.
• Note 3: Those who only have a pre-examination will be excluded from the subsidy eligibility.
• Note 4: If the second vaccination is received between 2 months and 6 months after the first vaccination, it will be eligible for assistance. If the vaccination is received beyond this period, it will not be eligible for assistance.

Subsidy Method

1. The "Notice Regarding Cost Subsidies" and the "Subsidy Voucher (also a Vaccination Pre-Examination Form)" will be available at designated medical institutions within the city. Please make a reservation and visit the designated medical institution directly.
   Note: No application to the city is required.
2. At the designated medical institution, please read the "Notice Regarding Cost Assistance" carefully, fill out the necessary information on the "Assistance Voucher (Vaccination Pre-Examination Form)," and present your identification documents at the counter. Additionally, those receiving the second vaccination must bring proof of their first vaccination (such as the shingles vaccination certificate).
3. Please pay the difference between the vaccination cost set by the designated medical institution and the subsidy amount to the designated medical institution.

• [Optional Vaccination] Notice of Subsidy for Shingles Vaccination Costs in Inagi City (PDF 839.0KB)

Implementation Location

Designated medical institutions in Inagi City (as listed below)

Note: If you wish to receive vaccinations at a medical institution outside the city due to unavoidable circumstances, you must apply in advance, so please contact the Health Center. Additionally, inquiries regarding vaccinations outside the city should be made after the start date of the subsidy.

• List of Designated Medical Institutions for Shingles Vaccination (PDF 100.4KB)

Type of Vaccine

There are two types of vaccines available for vaccination.

	Type	Name	Number of vaccinations
1	Live Vaccine	Dry Weakly Virulent Varicella Vaccine "Biken"	1st course
2	Inactivated Vaccine	Shingrix Injection	2 times (the second vaccination should be administered 2 to 6 months after the first vaccination)

Note: Individuals considered to be at high risk of contracting shingles may have the interval between the first and second doses shortened to one month based on the physician's judgment.

Precautions for Receiving Vaccination

At designated medical institutions in Inagi City, we will provide you with the "Subsidy Voucher (and Vaccination Pre-Examination Form)" along with the "Notice of Subsidy for Optional Vaccination for Shingles Prevention in Inagi City." Please read it in advance and ensure that you fully understand and agree to the necessity of vaccination and potential side effects before receiving the vaccination.

Interval Between Vaccinations with Other Vaccines

• When receiving a live vaccine, it is necessary to have an interval of at least 27 days between the administration of other live vaccines (such as measles and rubella).
• Inactivated vaccines can be administered simultaneously with other vaccines if deemed necessary by a physician.

Health Damage Relief System for Vaccination

The shingles vaccine vaccination is treated as a non-mandatory vaccination not based on the Vaccination Law. If this vaccination results in health damage, such as diseases requiring hospitalization or disabilities that significantly restrict daily life, it may be eligible for relief under the "Pharmaceutical Side Effects Relief System" based on the Act on the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. Additionally, the "National Mayors' Association" vaccination accident compensation insurance may apply. Please contact the Inagi City Health Division (Health Center) for more information.

About Shingles and the Shingles Vaccine (From the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Medical Bureau Website)

What is shingles?

Shingles is a disease characterized by a rash (blisters) that appears in a band along the nerves distributed in the skin. It usually starts with itching or pain about 2 to 3 days before the blisters appear, and after about a week, symptoms such as multiple blisters, fever, and headache may occur. Typically, the skin symptoms subside within 2 to 4 weeks.
When a person has chickenpox in childhood, the varicella-zoster virus remains dormant in the body for a long time. It can reactivate as "shingles" when the immune system weakens due to aging or fatigue. Additionally, even after the skin symptoms have healed, there is a possibility of developing postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is characterized by lingering pain.
Since more than 90% of adults have antibodies against the varicella-zoster virus, it is believed that most people have already been infected, and everyone is at risk of developing shingles.

Prevention and Treatment

As a precaution, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle as much as possible. Pay attention to a balanced diet, engage in moderate exercise, and ensure sufficient sleep. Furthermore, for those aged 50 and over, it is said that receiving a Vaccination can help prevent the onset and severity of the disease.
The main treatment involves antiviral drugs that suppress the proliferation of the virus. It is said that earlier administration is more effective, so if you experience itching or pain followed by the appearance of blisters, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

About Shingles Vaccine

There are currently two products for the shingles vaccine (Shingrix and Viken), and there are differences in effectiveness and target recipients, so please be sure to consult your doctor.

Name (Vaccine Manufacturer)	Type	Eligibility	Number of vaccinations	Cost	Vaccination Method	Prevention of Symptoms Effect	Sustainability
Live attenuated varicella vaccine Biken (Osaka University Microbiology Research Institute)	Live Vaccine	Over 50 years old	1st course	About 10,000 yen	Subcutaneous Injection	69.80%	About 5 years
Dry Recombinant Shingles Vaccine Shingrix (GSK)	Inactivated Vaccine	Over 50 years old	2nd course	About 40,000 yen (for 2 times)	Intramuscular Injection	96.60%	Over 9 years

In the absence of subsidies, refer to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Subcommittee materials, vaccine instructions, and attached documents
(The preventive effect against onset is for those aged 50 to 59)