Should the Elderly Get Vaccinated? A Quick Guide to Government-Funded Eligibility and Timing for Influenza, Pneumococcal, and Herpes Zoster Vaccines

Commonly recommended vaccines for the elderly include influenza, pneumococcal, and herpes zoster (shingles) vaccines. Among these, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are government-funded for those aged 65 and older, while the herpes zoster vaccine is currently self-paid, with some local governments providing additional subsidies. According to the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC), starting January 15, 2026, the adult government-funded pneumococcal vaccine regimen has changed from PCV13 + PPV23 to a single dose of PCV20. This page compiles official government-funded eligibility, vaccination timing, and precautions as neutral information, not medical advice.

Which Vaccines Are Recommended for the Elderly? Overview of Government-Funded Eligibility

The CDC's 'Government-Funded Vaccine Items and Vaccination Schedule' lists influenza, pneumococcal, and herpes zoster vaccines as recommended for adults aged 65 and older, but their government-funded eligibility and current status differ:

Influenza vaccine: Adults aged 65 and older are eligible for government funding; recommended annually as a single dose (CDC)
Pneumococcal vaccine: Adults aged 65 and older, Indigenous people aged 55-64, and individuals aged 19-64 at high risk for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) are eligible for government funding. As of January 15, 2026, the new regimen uses PCV20 (CDC)
Herpes zoster vaccine: Listed by the CDC as recommended for adults aged 50 and older, but currently not included in the national government-funded vaccine list; it is a self-paid vaccine (CDC 'Current Government-Funded Vaccine Items')
The same CDC list also includes respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine as a recommended item for the elderly; this page only covers influenza, pneumococcal, and herpes zoster vaccines; RSV vaccine is not discussed here

Influenza Vaccine: Government-Funded Eligibility, Timing, and Egg Allergy Concerns

Based on the CDC's 'Government-Funded Influenza Vaccination Program' and related Q&A:

Adults aged 65 and older are one of the target groups for the government-funded influenza vaccine; they can receive it at any township health center or contracted medical facility nationwide, regardless of registered household location (CDC)
The government-funded influenza vaccine is an inactivated vaccine containing only viral antigen components, not live virus (CDC)
The vaccination schedule is phased each year; in recent years (e.g., 2025), the first phase started on October 1; exact dates depend on the CDC's annual announcement, and no fixed date for the new season has been officially announced yet
Egg allergy is not an absolute contraindication: CDC Q&A states that contraindications generally include known severe allergy to egg protein, but multiple studies show that most individuals with egg allergies can safely receive the influenza vaccine; vaccination should still be determined by a physician's assessment (CDC)
The CDC also lists vaccination precautions: individuals with fever or acute moderate-to-severe illness should wait until their condition stabilizes; those who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of a previous influenza vaccine should be assessed by a physician; others deemed unsuitable by a physician should not be vaccinated (CDC)

Pneumococcal Vaccine: New Regimen from 2026, PCV13 + PPV23 Changed to PCV20

Based on the CDC's 'Adult Pneumococcal Vaccine' announcement (effective from January 15, 2026):

Government-funded targets: adults aged 65 and older, Indigenous people aged 55-64, and individuals aged 19-64 at high risk for IPD (CDC)
Those who have never received any pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13/15, PCV20, PPV23): receive one dose of PCV20 (CDC)
Those who have only received PPV23 and it has been at least 1 year: can receive one dose of PCV20 (CDC)
Those who have only received PCV13/15: generally, after an interval of at least 1 year, they can receive subsequent doses; for residents of long-term care facilities aged 65 and older or dialysis patients, the interval is relaxed to at least 8 weeks (CDC)
Those who have completed the old regimen of PCV13/15 + PPV23 are considered fully vaccinated and do not need an additional PCV20 dose; high-risk individuals aged 19-64 who turn 65 and are at least 5 years past their last vaccination may consider a booster dose of PCV20 (CDC)
The CDC's 'Pneumococcal Vaccine Special Section' page shows the last update date as July 2, 2026, indicating recent updates; this page references the current version, not the old information (CDC)

Herpes Zoster Vaccine: Currently Self-Paid, with Local Subsidies in Some Cities/Counties

Based on the CDC's 'Herpes Zoster Vaccine' page:

The currently approved herpes zoster vaccine in Taiwan is a non-live recombinant vaccine, recommended for adults aged 50 and older or immunocompromised individuals aged 18 and older; it requires 2 doses given 2 to 6 months apart (CDC)
The CDC's 'Current Government-Funded Vaccine Items' list includes 10 national government-funded vaccines (e.g., hepatitis B, BCG, pentavalent, varicella, MMR, Japanese encephalitis, influenza, hepatitis A, Tdap-IPV, etc.); the herpes zoster vaccine is not on this list, confirming it is a self-paid vaccine (CDC)
Some local governments have additional subsidy programs: Taipei City Department of Health announced that residents of Taipei City aged 65 and older (or Indigenous people aged 55 and older) who meet low-income or middle-low-income criteria can receive full subsidies for 2 doses; starting August 1, 2026, this program was adjusted to residents of Taipei City aged 50 and older who meet low-income or middle-low-income criteria (Taipei City Department of Health)
Whether other cities/counties have local subsidies, eligibility, and amounts vary by local government regulations; it is recommended to directly consult the local health bureau of the elderly person's registered household for the latest announcements. This page does not list city/county information that has not been individually verified through official pages.

What to Note Before Vaccination? How Can the Elderly and Their Families Prepare?

Based on CDC health education materials, general principles before vaccination:

Individuals with fever or acute moderate-to-severe illness should wait until their condition stabilizes before vaccination (CDC; this is a general principle before vaccination, not limited to influenza vaccine)
Those who have had severe allergic reactions to any vaccine component should not receive the same vaccine; before vaccination, proactively inform medical personnel of past vaccine reactions and allergy history
All three vaccines should be administered after a physician assesses the individual's health condition, especially for those with chronic diseases, immunocompromised status, or long-term bedridden status; a physician should confirm the appropriate timing and vaccine type
If an elderly person is eligible for both government-funded influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, they can consult a health center or contracted facility to confirm whether they can be given on the same day or need to be spaced; actual practice should follow the medical facility's assessment
For elderly residents of long-term care facilities who have only received PCV13/15, according to CDC regulations, they can receive subsequent doses after an interval of at least 8 weeks (the general public interval is 1 year); facilities or families should note this relaxed interval for institutional residents and arrange accordingly

FAQ

At what age are the elderly eligible for government-funded influenza vaccine? How often should they get it?

Adults aged 65 and older are one of the target groups for the government-funded influenza vaccine. They can receive it at any township health center or contracted medical facility nationwide, regardless of their registered household location. The influenza vaccine is recommended annually as a single dose. The vaccination schedule is phased each year (in recent years, starting around October), with exact dates based on the CDC's annual announcement.

Can elderly individuals with egg allergies receive the influenza vaccine?

According to CDC health education materials, contraindications to influenza vaccination generally include known severe allergy to egg protein. However, multiple studies show that most individuals with egg allergies can safely receive the influenza vaccine. Whether to vaccinate should be determined by a physician's assessment; mild egg allergies should not automatically preclude vaccination.

Previously, the pneumococcal vaccine required two doses (PCV13 plus PPV23). Is that still the case?

No. According to the CDC announcement, starting January 15, 2026 (Year 115 of the Republic calendar), the adult government-funded pneumococcal vaccine has changed to a single dose of PCV20: those who have never received any pneumococcal vaccine need only one dose of PCV20. For those who have previously received the old regimen, there are different bridging rules based on vaccination history; it is recommended to consult a medical facility for individual assessment.

Does the government provide subsidies for the herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine?

The national government-funded vaccine list currently does not include the herpes zoster vaccine; it is a self-paid item. Some local governments have additional subsidy programs (e.g., Taipei City provides full subsidies for elderly individuals who meet low-income or middle-low-income criteria, with eligibility rules adjusted from August 2026). Actual subsidy eligibility and amounts vary by city/county; it is recommended to consult the local health bureau of the elderly person's registered household for the latest announcements.

Do elderly individuals who have previously received PCV13/15 plus PPV23 need an additional dose of PCV20?

According to CDC regulations, those who have completed the old regimen of PCV13/15 + PPV23 are considered fully vaccinated and do not need an additional PCV20 dose. Only high-risk individuals aged 19-64 who turn 65 and are at least 5 years past their last vaccination may consider a booster dose of PCV20. Whether a booster is needed should be assessed by a medical facility based on individual vaccination records.

If an elderly person has a recent cold with fever, can they still get vaccinated as scheduled?

According to CDC health education materials, individuals with fever or acute moderate-to-severe illness should wait until their condition stabilizes before vaccination. This is a general principle before vaccination. It is recommended to let the condition stabilize and symptoms subside, then have medical personnel assess the appropriate timing for vaccination; there is no need to force vaccination during the acute phase of illness.

Updated: 2026-07-17 · This page is a neutral compilation of information for reference only, not medical, legal, tax, or admission advice. For actual regulations and services, please refer to official announcements from competent authorities and the institutions themselves.