TAOYUAN (TVBS News) — Taoyuan City will offer free second doses of the shingles vaccine to residents aged 50 and over beginning in July, Mayor Chang San-cheng (張善政) announced on Wednesday (June 25). The initiative, which will save eligible residents NT$8,500 (approximately US$289), comes with specific requirements: recipients must have already completed their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations and, notably, must sign an advance medical directive outlining their end-of-life care preferences.
The advance medical directive requirement serves a dual purpose, according to Mayor Chang, who emphasized its role in preventing emotionally-driven medical interventions that often prove futile while consuming valuable healthcare resources. The Taoyuan mayor described the combined vaccine and directive policy as potentially groundbreaking nationwide, expressing hope that it would prompt citizens to contemplate end-of-life care decisions well before such choices become necessary. The initiative represents a novel approach to both preventive healthcare and medical resource allocation in Taiwan's healthcare system.
Medical experts recognize two categories of shingles vaccines currently available in Taiwan: older formulations priced between NT$4,000 and NT$6,000 (approximately US$136-204) per dose, and newer, more effective versions that cost upwards of NT$8,000 (about US$272) per injection. Complete immunization against the painful condition requires a two-dose regimen. Under Taoyuan's new program, qualifying residents must still purchase their initial dose, but the city government will fully subsidize the second injection for those who fulfill the vaccination history and advance directive requirements.
Mayor Chang underscored the debilitating nature of shingles, which can inflict intense physical pain and psychological distress on sufferers, particularly older adults. Taoyuan's approach distinguishes itself from programs in other Taiwanese municipalities through its combination of preventive health measures and end-of-life planning. The advance medical directive component remains accessible to all adult residents aged 18 and above, who can formalize their preferences regarding future life-sustaining treatments following a professional consultation that typically costs between NT$2,000 and NT$3,000 (approximately US$68-102). ◼
