Shingles — known in Chinese as “缠腰龙” (chán yāo lóng, “waist-wrapping dragon”) or “蛇缠腰” (shé chán yāo, “snake wrapping the waist”) — is one of the most feared diseases among older adults. Caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox), shingles produces excruciating pain that patients often compare to childbirth or being burned by fire. In severe cases, the pain can persist for months or even years, earning it the grim nickname “the cancer that doesn’t kill you.”
The statistics are alarming: approximately one in three people will develop shingles during their lifetime. In China alone, an estimated 1.56 million new cases occur annually among adults aged 50 and above. With over 310 million people aged 60 and above in China as of the end of 2024, the burden of this disease is enormous. The annual incidence rate among those 60+ ranges from 1% to 3%, and the risk increases dramatically with age.
The most devastating consequence of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) — chronic nerve pain that persists long after the rash heals. Among shingles patients aged 50 and above, roughly 50% develop PHN. This rises to approximately 70% for those in their 60s and exceeds 80% for patients in their 70s and beyond.
China’s Breakthrough: The First Domestic Shingles Vaccine
For years, China’s only approved shingles vaccine was Shingrix (欣安立适), manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). While effective, this imported recombinant adjuvanted vaccine came with significant limitations: it was approved only for adults aged 50 and above, required two doses spaced two months apart, and cost approximately 3,200 RMB (about $440 USD) for the complete course.
That changed in January 2023, when the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved China’s first domestically developed shingles vaccine. The vaccine was developed by Changchun Bailik Bio-Technology Co., Ltd. (长春百克生物科技股份公司), a biopharmaceutical company founded in 2004 and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s STAR Market in 2021.
On April 20, 2023, the first domestic shingles vaccination was administered in Changchun, Jilin Province. By June 3, 2023, the product was officially launched nationwide. This milestone broke the monopoly of imported shingles vaccines in China and opened the door for wider access to shingles prevention.
Ganwei (感维): The Game-Changing Product
The domestic vaccine, branded as Ganwei (感维), represents a fundamentally different approach from GSK’s Shingrix. While Shingrix is a recombinant subunit adjuvanted vaccine, Ganwei is a live attenuated vaccine — a technology that uses a weakened form of the virus to stimulate immune response.
Broader age coverage: Ganwei is approved for adults aged 40 and above, making it the world’s first live attenuated shingles vaccine for this age group. This five-year advantage over Shingrix’s 50+ age requirement is significant, as shingles risk begins to increase notably after age 40.
Simpler dosing: Ganwei requires only a single dose, compared to Shingrix’s two-dose regimen. This dramatically improves compliance and reduces the logistical burden on both patients and healthcare systems.
Competitive pricing: At its original launch price of approximately 1,369-1,375 RMB per dose, Ganwei was already significantly cheaper than Shingrix’s ~3,200 RMB total cost. In December 2025, Jiangxi Province publicly announced a price reduction to just 464 RMB per dose — a roughly 66% price cut.
Technical foundation: Developed using live attenuated virus technology, Ganwei leverages decades of experience in vaccine development. The weakened virus stimulates both humoral and cellular immune responses, providing robust and durable protection.
50+ Subsidy Policies: Pay One, Get One Free
Perhaps the most impactful development for international visitors and Chinese seniors alike is the wave of government-subsidized vaccination programs sweeping across China. Starting in mid-2025, multiple provinces and cities launched the “打一免一” (dǎ yī miǎn yī) program — literally “pay for one, get one free” — for recombinant shingles vaccines.
The program structure is elegantly simple: eligible residents aged 50 and above who have never received a shingles vaccine can pay full price for the first dose and receive the second dose completely free.
Key eligibility criteria:
- Age: 50 years and above
- Health status: No prior history of shingles vaccination
- Principle: “知情同意、自愿自费” (informed consent, voluntary, self-funded)
- First dose must be administered between May-August 2025 (varies by region)
- Second dose must be completed by December 31, 2025 (varies by region)
- Vaccination service fee of 20-25 RMB per dose is not included in the subsidy
Regional Coverage: From Tianjin to Guangxi
The subsidy programs have rolled out across an impressive geographic range:
- Tianjin Dongli District: Extended the program through December 31, 2025
- Inner Mongolia: Launched a province-wide program covering the entire autonomous region
- Shanxi Province: Implemented provincial-level subsidies covering major cities including Taiyuan, Datong, and Changzhi
- Heilongjiang: Targeted the Yakeshi area with specific programs for older residents
- Yunnan Province: Coordinated through the Yunnan University Affiliated Hospital
- Shaanxi Province: Launched comprehensive programs covering Xi’an and surrounding areas
- Guangxi Wuxuan: Extended the program into 2026, with first doses administered from April 1, 2026
Cost Comparison: Domestic vs Imported Vaccines
| Feature | Shingrix (欣安立适) | Ganwei (感维) |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) | Changchun Bailik Bio (长春百克) |
| Type | Recombinant adjuvanted | Live attenuated |
| Age range | 50+ years | 40+ years |
| Doses required | 2 doses (2 months apart) | 1 dose |
| Original price | ~3,200 RMB total | ~1,369-1,375 RMB |
| Subsidized price | ~1,600 RMB (with 50+ subsidy) | 464 RMB (Jiangxi 2025 price) |
With the 50+ subsidy program, a two-dose course of Shingrix costs approximately 1,600 RMB. Meanwhile, Ganwei at the Jiangxi reduced price of 464 RMB for a single dose represents a 71% cost saving compared to subsidized Shingrix and an 85% saving compared to full-price Shingrix.
For international visitors considering vaccination during their China trip, the single-dose convenience of Ganwei combined with its 40+ age eligibility makes it particularly attractive. A single visit to a Chinese community health center can provide complete shingles protection at a fraction of Western vaccine costs.
Future Outlook: More Competition, Lower Prices
China’s shingles vaccine market is poised for continued transformation. Bailik Bio’s Ganwei has already demonstrated that domestic competition can break import monopolies and drive dramatic price reductions. The company’s 2023 revenue reached 1.76-1.87 billion RMB, with net profit increasing 158-192% year-over-year.
Multiple Chinese biotech companies are developing shingles vaccines using different technology platforms, including mRNA vaccines and recombinant protein approaches. This pipeline competition is expected to further drive down prices and expand access.
For international visitors to China — particularly those from countries where shingles vaccines are expensive or difficult to access — China’s combination of affordable domestic vaccines, broad age eligibility, and government subsidy programs creates a unique opportunity. Under China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy or 30-day unilateral visa-free entry, visitors can easily complete a single-dose vaccination during their stay.