Inclusion of Shingles Vaccine and Updates to Pneumococcal Vaccine in NAIS
10 February 2025 | Vaccinations | MOH Cir 03/2025
Summary
1. Background
Following recommendations from the Drug Advisory Committee (DAC) and Expert Committee on Immunisation (ECI), MOH is adding recombinant herpes zoster vaccine (RHZV, Shingrix by GSK) and updating pneumococcal vaccine recommendations in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS). Implementation begins September 2025 with subsidy support via VCDSS, and MediSave extension expected mid-2026.
2. Shingles Vaccine (RHZV) Recommendations
- Target Groups:
- All persons aged 60 years and older
- Persons aged 18-59 years with immunocompromising conditions
- Dosing: Two doses at 2-6 month interval (can be 1-2 months apart for immunocompromised if earlier protection needed)
- Schedule: Implementation from September 2025
- Subsidy: VCDSS subsidies apply from September 2025; MediSave from mid-2026
3. Pneumococcal Vaccine (PCV20) Updates
- Vaccine: 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevenar 20 by Pfizer)
- Target Groups:
- All persons aged 65 years and older
- Persons aged 18-64 years with: chronic pulmonary/cardiovascular/liver disease, diabetes, cochlear implants, CSF leaks, asplenia, immunocompromising conditions, chronic kidney disease
- Dosing: One dose (single administration)
- Implementation: September 2025
- Subsidy: VCDSS subsidies from September 2025; MediSave from mid-2026
4. Action for Your Practice
- Start identifying eligible patients (age 60+ for RHZV, age 65+ for PCV20, and those with specified conditions)
- Prepare staff training on new vaccines before September 2025
- Anticipate subsidy eligibility and MediSave claims processes
- Refer to detailed circular (to be issued) for management of prior PCV13/PPSV23 recipients
- Maintain accurate age/condition records for vaccination eligibility assessment
5. Key References
NAIS, Subsidised Vaccine List (SVL), VCDSS, MediSave. Detailed clinical recommendations in annexes.
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𝟭. 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
Following recommendations from the Drug Advisory Committee (DAC) and Expert Committee on Immunisation (ECI), MOH is adding recombinant herpes zoster vaccine (RHZV, Shingrix by GSK) and updating pneumococcal vaccine recommendations in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS). Implementation begins September 2025 with subsidy support via VCDSS, and MediSave extension expected mid-2026.
𝟮. 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 (𝗥𝗛𝗭𝗩) 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
• Target Groups: • All persons aged 60 years and older • Persons aged 18-59 years with immunocompromising conditions • Dosing: Two doses at 2-6 month interval (can be 1-2 months apart for immunocompromised if earlier protection needed) • Schedule: Implementation from September 2025 • Subsidy: VCDSS subsidies apply from September 2025; MediSave from mid-2026
𝟯. 𝗣𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗰𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 (𝗣𝗖𝗩𝟮𝟬) 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀
• Vaccine: 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevenar 20 by Pfizer) • Target Groups: • All persons aged 65 years and older • Persons aged 18-64 years with: chronic pulmonary/cardiovascular/liver disease, diabetes, cochlear implants, CSF leaks, asplenia, immunocompromising conditions, chronic kidney disease • Dosing: One dose (single administration) • Implementation: September 2025 • Subsidy: VCDSS subsidies...
𝟰. 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲
• Start identifying eligible patients (age 60+ for RHZV, age 65+ for PCV20, and those with specified conditions) • Prepare staff training on new vaccines before September 2025 • Anticipate subsidy eligibility and MediSave claims processes • Refer to detailed circular (to be issued) for management of prior PCV13/PPSV23 recipients • Maintain accurate age/condition records...
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