The Taiwan Health Alliance is calling on the the Lai administration to add
the shingles vaccine to government-funded vaccination programs for adults.

According to alliance director Wu Yu-chin, adult vaccinations are more
important than ever now, as Taiwan is projected to become a super-aged
society by the end of this year - when at least 20-per cent of the population
is aged 65 or over.

Wu says cases of shingles are more common amongst the elderly as rates
significantly increase with age due to weakened immune systems.

The call comes as the Taiwan Health Alliance has released its adult
vaccination program white paper.

The paper cited studies and suggested the government offer subsidized vaccine
for preventing shingles as part of the Lai administration's Healthy Taiwan
policy.

Shingles causes rashes and blisters and can result in patients suffering
intense nerve pain that can last years after rashes and blisters heal.

The Tainan Municipal Annan Hospital earlier this year said about 32-per cent
of individuals are likely to develop shingles at some point in their lives.

The shingles vaccine costs between 8,500 to 10,000 N-T per dose and requires
two doses.