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Update: There is a clinically effective vaccine against shingles, but it is not cheap. Not in Singapore at least. The full course, comprising two doses, costs around $900. Many seniors have therefore understandably asked if the government can subsidise shingles vaccination, or at least be allowed to use their MediSave to pay for the vaccination.
24. Part of the reason for the high cost of the shingles vaccine is that the pharmaceutical industry practises differential pricing across geographies. As Singapore is a small market deemed to be high income, we often end up paying more for our drugs, including vaccinations.
25. To be clear, I am not begrudging the industry here, but explaining this is how the industry works, in order to pay for the large investments in research and development to develop the new drugs. In fact, this differential pricing system is in turn founded upon intellectual property protection, and is one of the basis for pharmaceutical companies to invest in production plants in Singapore. However, when it comes to procuring the drugs, Singapore is in a disadvantaged position under this system.
26. That puts MOH in a dilemma. We know the vaccine is not cheap. We want to subsidise the shingles vaccine to help Singaporeans avoid the pain of getting shingles. However, if we do, we will very likely entrench the high price of our supply.
27. Thankfully, we have a good partner in GSK, which has a long history of relationship with Singapore. We had good discussions with them and arrived at a good outcome. GSK will adjust the price of the shingles vaccine; MOH will subsidise the vaccination; bring it under our population health measures; and recommend shingles vaccination under our National Adult Immunisation Schedule, alongside others, such as influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations.
28. The subsidy for Shingrix will be effective in September this year and will apply to seniors aged 60 and above, and younger adults who are immunocompromised. The subsidy will also be means-tested.
29. Because of these changes, the reduction in the out-of-pocket cost of shingles vaccination to a member of the public can be quite significant. If you are a Pioneer Generation Singaporean, the cost of two doses of vaccination will fall from about $900 today to about $75. For a high-income senior, it will fall from around $900 to about $300.
30. From 2026, MOH will also allow the remaining out-of-pocket cost to be paid using existing MediSave schemes. So the cash payment is potentially $0.
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Dua kang approval shingles vaccine use medisave & subsidises
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11-Feb 2025 Tuesday
3:47 AM (29 days ago)
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