1 April 2018 National Immunisation Schedule Change – Zoster Vaccine Fact Sheet To: Health Professionals and Primary Health Organisations This fact sheet sets out what you need to know about the addition of the zoster vaccine to the National Immunisation Schedule from 1 April 2018. More information about the eligibility criteria can be found on PHARMAC’s website website also contains the latest immunisation updates that refer to the Schedule change The Ministry’s Zoster vaccine added to the Schedule From 1 April 2018, Zostavax will be funded for people aged 65 years for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster). Those aged 66 to 80 years will also be able to receive a funded zoster vaccine until 31 March 2020. Immunisation Handbook 2017 The electronic versions of the Immunisation Handbook 2017 (2nd edition) are now available at . The major changes are listed on this website and include zoster and influenza chapter updates. Note hard copies of the Handbook will not be updated. Co-delivery with influenza immunisation The zoster vaccine can be given at the same time as the influenza vaccine. Now is an opportune time to plan the recall of patients who meet the eligibility criteria for zoster influenza programme delivery for those aged 65 years vaccination alongside planning your practice’s and older. Immunisation benefit claims Only one claim can be made for administration of immunisation services provided on the same day, this includes administration of the influenza and zoster vaccines in the same visit. If the vaccines are administered at different visits a claim can be made for each visit. Vaccine availability If necessary, to keep pharmaceutical Zostavax will be available to order from the refrigerators within their capacity limits, ProPharma regional stores from Monday 19 practices may order their Schedule vaccines March. As 1 April 2018 falls on Easter Sunday, more frequently than twice a month during April vaccinations can begin on the next business to June when they are also vaccinating their day (Tuesday 3 April 2018). patients against influenza. Vaccine ordering NIR and PMS changes Changes are being made to the ProPharma The National Immunisation Register (NIR), online and fax vaccine order forms at Vaccines practice management systems (PMS) and can be ordered in packs of 10. Please use the Ministry payment systems are being updated online order process as it is less susceptible to for the 1 April 2018 Schedule change. error and is faster.
1 April 2018 National Immunisation Schedule Change – Zoster Vaccine Fact Sheet To: Health Professionals and Primary Health Organisations This fact sheet sets out what you need to know about the addition of the zoster vaccine to the National Immunisation Schedule from 1 April 2018. More information about the eligibility criteria can be found on PHARMAC’s website The Ministry’s website also contains the latest immunisation updates that refer to the Schedule change Zoster vaccine added to the Schedule From 1 April 2018, Zostavax will be funded for people aged 65 years for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster). Those aged 66 to 80 years will also be able to receive a funded zoster vaccine until 31 March 2020. Immunisation Handbook 2017 The electronic versions of the Immunisation Handbook 2017 (2nd edition) are now available at . The major changes are listed on this website and include zoster and influenza chapter updates. Note hard copies of the Handbook will not be updated. Co-delivery with influenza immunisation The zoster vaccine can be given at the same time as the influenza vaccine. Now is an opportune time to plan the recall of patients who meet the eligibility criteria for zoster vaccination alongside planning your practice’s influenza programme delivery for those aged 65 years and older. Immunisation benefit claims Only one claim can be made for administration of immunisation services provided on the same day, this includes administration of the influenza and zoster vaccines in the same visit. If the vaccines are administered at different visits a claim can be made for each visit. Vaccine availability Zostavax will be available to order from the ProPharma regional stores from Monday 19 March. As 1 April 2018 falls on Easter Sunday, vaccinations can begin on the next business day (Tuesday 3 April 2018). Vaccine ordering Changes are being made to the ProPharma online and fax vaccine order forms at Vaccines can be ordered in packs of 10. Please use the online order process as it is less susceptible to error and is faster. If necessary, to keep pharmaceutical refrigerators within their capacity limits, practices may order their Schedule vaccines more frequently than twice a month during April to June when they are also vaccinating their patients against influenza. NIR and PMS changes The National Immunisation Register (NIR), practice management systems (PMS) and Ministry payment systems are being updated for the 1 April 2018 Schedule change.
fact_sheet_-_zoster_vaccine.docx