Your PMS vendor will advise you when their It is likely there will be some pressure on the software has been updated and what changes capacity of your vaccination fridge at this time they have made to their software. Please of year. Please consider your pharmaceutical ensure you have the latest version of your refrigerator capacity when ordering your PMS, and make sure that all clinical staff have vaccine supplies to ensure that you do not access to and have read the release notes exceed 90 percent of the available storage from your PMS provide. space, especially during the influenza programme. Supporting resources A zoster vaccine information sheet has been All immunisation providers should ensure you: included with the 2018 Influenza Kit, and are familiar with the National Standards for information will be included at all Vaccinator Vaccine Storage and Transportation for Training Courses and Updates. Further Immunisation Providers 2017 which is resources and information is available on the available from the website at: Ministry’s IMAC website and some education update your Cold Chain Policy and sessions/webinars will be available. Please see processes to include the zoster change and for further details. vaccine ordering volumes. The Ministry has developed a resource for older Communication and implementation of the adults (HE2540) and this can support the zoster Schedule vaccine discussion. The Immunisation The Ministry will continue to communicate with Schedule card with vaccine box photos health professionals and members of the public (HE1308) is available. Both can be ordered at through our regular channels including the Merck Sharpe & Dohme NZ Limited (MSD) has monthly Immunisation Update, DHB also produced resources for health teleconferences, working with IMAC and professionals to support Zostavax. These professional bodies to ensure that providers are resources are now available to order at or call aware of these changes. your local MSD Account Manager. The Immunisation Team appreciates your role For more information about zoster refer to as health providers and vaccinators in Chapter 22 in the Handbook. improving the health of our communities through immunisation. Cold chain management All Schedule vaccines must be stored between If you have any further questions, please to +2˚C +8˚C. contact the Immunisation Team at Ministry’s Vaccine Brand Name Scheduled Event Route New/Replaces Funded vaccine for adults 65 years Zoster Zostavax SC New 1 April 2018 31 March 2020 for eligible – vaccine adults 66 - 80 years
Your PMS vendor will advise you when their software has been updated and what changes they have made to their software. Please ensure you have the latest version of your PMS, and make sure that all clinical staff have access to and have read the release notes from your PMS provide. Supporting resources A zoster vaccine information sheet has been included with the 2018 Influenza Kit, and information will be included at all Vaccinator Training Courses and Updates. Further resources and information is available on the IMAC website and some education sessions/webinars will be available. Please see for further details. The Ministry has developed a resource for older adults (HE2540) and this can support the zoster vaccine discussion. The Immunisation Schedule card with vaccine box photos (HE1308) is available. Both can be ordered at Merck Sharpe & Dohme NZ Limited (MSD) has also produced resources for health professionals to support Zostavax. These resources are now available to order at or call your local MSD Account Manager. For more information about zoster refer to Chapter 22 in the Handbook. Cold chain management All Schedule vaccines must be stored between +2˚C to +8˚C. It is likely there will be some pressure on the capacity of your vaccination fridge at this time of year. Please consider your pharmaceutical refrigerator capacity when ordering your vaccine supplies to ensure that you do not exceed 90 percent of the available storage space, especially during the influenza programme. All immunisation providers should ensure you: are familiar with the National Standards for Vaccine Storage and Transportation for Immunisation Providers 2017 which is available from the Ministry’s website at: update your Cold Chain Policy and processes to include the zoster change and vaccine ordering volumes. Communication and implementation of the Schedule The Ministry will continue to communicate with health professionals and members of the public through our regular channels including the monthly Immunisation Update, DHB teleconferences, working with IMAC and professional bodies to ensure that providers are aware of these changes. The Immunisation Team appreciates your role as health providers and vaccinators in improving the health of our communities through immunisation. If you have any further questions, please contact the Ministry’s Immunisation Team at Vaccine Brand Name Scheduled Event Route New/Replaces Zoster vaccine Zostavax Funded vaccine for adults 65 years SC New 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2020 for eligible adults 66 - 80 years
fact_sheet_-_zoster_vaccine.docx