Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine moves closer to NIP inclusion

KDCA Commissioner Seung-kwan Im, “ We secured additional KRW 28 billion for pneumococcal vaccination”

“Shingles vaccine’s direction does not completely align with NIP policy principles… regional health equity also to be considered”

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Commissioner Seung-kwan Im said the agency has secured additional funding to switch the national pneumococcal vaccination program for adults aged 65 and older from a polysaccharide vaccine to a conjugate vaccine.

The additional funding effectively lays the groundwork for free pneumococcal conjugate vaccination beginning next year.

On adding shingles vaccination for older adults to the National Immunization Program (NIP), Im gave the conventional response that the agency will discuss it from the perspective of regional health equity.

Im made the remarks on the 19th in response to questions from Democratic Party lawmaker Byeonghun So during a National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee briefing.

Rep So called for expanded government support for pneumococcal and shingles vaccination among adults aged 65 and older.

Currently, the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is provided free of charge, while recipients must pay out of pocket for the conjugate vaccine. So had believed that the government should also cover the cost of conjugate vaccination.

Commissioner Im said additional funding has been secured to introduce the conjugate vaccine into the NIP beginning in 2027.

Im said, “We are securing approximately KRW 28 billion in additional funding this year for next year’s budget. We expect the free conjugate vaccination program to proceed without disruption.”

So also noted wide disparities among local governments in financial support for shingles vaccination and urged the central government to provide free vaccination nationwide.

So said, “The problem is that subsidies for shingles vaccination range from KRW 20,000 to KRW 180,000 across 229 local governments, leading to many complaints about regional disparities. To resolve this, the government should step up to ensure that vaccines like the shingles vaccine are provided free of charge nationwide rather than in just a few areas.”

Im said shingles vaccination differs somewhat from the traditional rationale underlying the NIP and free vaccination, making an immediate decision difficult, and added that the issue would be discussed under new perspectives and criteria.

Im said, “The shingles vaccine differs somewhat from the policy principles that have traditionally guided the NIP. The NIP has primarily focused on vaccines that achieve herd immunity or prevent severe outcomes such as death.”

He added, “However, changing times call for new vaccination policies and strategies. The program would require substantial funding, and financing options other than the national budget may also be considered, so we are taking a measured approach to the issue from a mid-term perspective.”

Im added, “The agency would further examine the issue from the standpoint of regional health equity and discuss it with relevant government ministries.”