On September 19, China's first live attenuated shingles  vaccine was launched at the provincial vaccination clinic of Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center (Hainan Children's Hospital) under the brand name Ganwei®. The vaccine, which is suitable for those aged 40 and above, was developed and produced by the Changchun Baike Biotechnology Company.

A nurse at the vaccination clinic of the Hainan Provincial Women and Children's Medical Center gives Mr. Zhuo the domestic shingles vaccine. (Photo: Wang Hongxu)

At 10 AM on the 19th, 68-year-old Mr. Zhuo from Haikou became the first recipient of the domestically developed shingles vaccine in Hainan. Mr. Zhuo said he has never had shingles, but his friends have said the pain is excruciating.

Huang Ling, director of the vaccination clinic at the Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, said the domestically developed live attenuated shingles vaccine protects those aged 40 and above, reducing the risk of disease. Only one vaccination is needed for a period of  over 10 years, and vaccination is available at vaccine centers across Hainan regardless of nationality or prior chickenpox or shingles infection.

A nurse at the vaccination clinic of Hainan Provincial Women and Children's Medical Center. (Photo: Wang Hongxu)

"It is very painful," said Zeng Lingbin, deputy chief physician of the Dermatology Department of the Fifth People's Hospital of Hainan Province, noting that shingles is currently the most common infectious dermatological disease. It occurs in adults over 40 years old, but more and more younger people are getting it due to working overtime and highly stressful lives.

There is currently no specific medication to treat shingles. If you are infected, antiviral and symptomatic treatment should be started as soon as possible. Vaccination is the most effective and feasible means of prevention.