Subsidy for Shingles Vaccination
Shingles is a skin disease caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which remains dormant in the body after a previous chickenpox infection. The reactivated virus travels along the nerves, producing painful blisters on the skin.
One complication is postherpetic neuralgia, a condition where pain persists even after the skin symptoms have healed, and it can interfere with daily life. Shingles vaccines can help prevent shingles and its complications.
Implementation overview
A partial subsidy is available for the cost of shingles vaccination.
- * Vaccines not approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare are not eligible for subsidy. This is because, in the event of adverse reactions, they would not be covered under the relief system based on the Immunization Act.
- * Starting in fiscal 2025, shingles vaccination for individuals aged 65, among others, has been designated as a routine immunization under the Immunization Act. If you receive a public subsidy through your local government or another public body, please apply for our vaccination subsidy based on the remaining amount after such subsidy has been applied.
| Eligible Recipients (Vaccine Recipients) |
Eligible individuals: insured persons and dependents aged 50 or older | |
|---|---|---|
| Base Date for Age | As of the last day of the fiscal year | |
| Subsidy Coverage Period (Vaccination Date) |
April 1, 2026 - February 28, 2027 | |
| Number of Subsidized Doses | One dose | Live vaccine (VARICELLA VACCINE LIVE ATTENUATED “BIKEN”) |
| Two doses | Inactivated vaccine (Freeze-dried Recombinant Herpes Zoster Vaccine, Shingrix for I.M Injection) | |
| Subsidy Amount | Up to 10,000 yen per dose | |
| Notes |
If a public subsidy is available through your local government or another public body, please apply for that subsidy first. Applications require a receipt containing the following information.
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* For application procedures, please refer to the “Procedures” section.
Vaccine Characteristics (Reference)
The type of vaccine available may vary depending on the local government or medical institution. If you wish to be vaccinated, please consult your physician and consider which vaccine is appropriate for you.
| Type | Live vaccine (VARICELLA VACCINE LIVE ATTENUATED “BIKEN”) |
Inactivated vaccine (Freeze-dried Recombinant Herpes Zoster Vaccine, Shingrix for I.M Injection) |
|---|---|---|
| Method of Administration |
Subcutaneous injection | Intramuscular injection |
| Number of Doses | One dose | Two doses administered at an interval of at least two months |
| Duration of Effectiveness |
Approximately five years | Nine years or longer |
| Preventive Efficacy |
[One year after vaccination] Approximately 60% efficacy [Five years after vaccination] Approximately 40% efficacy |
[One year after vaccination] Approximately 90% efficacy [Five years after vaccination] Approximately 90% efficacy [Seven years after vaccination] Approximately 70% efficacy |
| Side Effects | [≥30%] Redness at the injection site [≥10%] Itching, warmth, swelling, pain, and induration at the injection site [≥1%] Rash, fatigue |
[≥70%] Pain at the injection site [≥30%] Redness at the injection site, muscle pain, fatigue [≥10%] Swelling at the injection site, gastrointestinal symptoms, chills, fever [≥1%] Itching, fatigue, generalized pain |
| Cost | Approximately 8,000–10,000 yen | Approximately 20,000–25,000 yen per dose (40,000–50,000 yen for two doses) |
| Characteristics |
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