New, None-live Vaccine against Herpes Zoster ( Shingles)

Mon April 11th 2022

New Vaccine against Herpes Zoster (Shingles).

Anyone who has been infected with varicella-zoster virus, and likely to have had chickenpox previously, is at risk of developing shingles at some stage in their life. Shingles can affect people of any age but is more common as we get older. By the age of 85 years, at least half of us will have had shingles. In addition to getting older, other factors can increase the risk of getting shingles, such as having a weakened immune system, psychological stress, physical trauma, being female and having a genetically close relative who has had shingles.

A non-live Shingles vaccine has not been available in New Zealand until now, leaving PID patients vulnerable.

New to the NZ market this month, Shingrix is a non-live (Adjuvanted recombinant protein subunit vaccine) suited to most immune deficient patients. This vaccine is however only privately funded (not provided free through MOH). Patients over the age of 50 years are eligible.

Talk to your medical team now for clinical information about whether this new vaccine is suitable for you.

We are  pleased to advise that assistance in the form of an IDFNZ family grant, is now available to subsidise the cost of the Shingrix vaccination, for IDFNZ Patient members 50 years and older .

 More information about the vaccine is available at:    https://www.immune.org.nz/sites/default/files/resources/Written%20Resources/DiseaseHerpesZosterImac20220314.pdf

To apply for a family grant subsidy – you will need to provide IDFNZ with a copy of the prescription from your clinician and either a quotation, or details of the GP or Pharmacy of your choice to administer the injections. We will then contact you to discuss the cost of the treatment and amount of subsidy we can offer you. (Note, the vaccine cost varies across New Zealand, we will work with you to find the most affordable option in your location).

Contact us by email at info@idfnz.org.nz  or call to discuss if this offer of assistance is of interest to you.