Detailed Recommendations on Shingles and Pneumococcal Vaccines, and NAIS Updates
21 August 2025 | Vaccinations | MOH Cir 51/2025
Summary
1. Background
This circular provides comprehensive clinical recommendations for shingles and pneumococcal vaccines in NAIS following earlier announcements in MOH Circulars 03/2025 and 04/2025. Recommendations based on Expert Committee on Immunisation (ECI) advice and take effect from specified implementation dates. Embargo until 29 August 2025.
2. Shingles Vaccine (RHZV) Detailed Recommendations
- Target Groups: Same as circular 03/2025 (60+, 18-59 with immunocompromising conditions)
- Dosing: Two doses at 2-6 month intervals (immunocompromised: may use 1-2 months for earlier protection)
- Special Populations: Detailed guidance on specific immunocompromising conditions (to be specified in clinical recommendations)
- Co-administration: Information on simultaneous administration with other vaccines
- Previous Zoster History: Guidance for those with prior shingles episodes
3. Pneumococcal Vaccine (PCV20) Detailed Recommendations
- Single Dose Regimen: PCV20 single dose recommended (different from prior multi-dose approaches)
- Prior PCV13/PPSV23: Detailed transition guidance for patients previously vaccinated with older pneumococcal vaccines
- Timing Intervals: Specifications on minimum intervals from prior pneumococcal vaccines
- Special Populations: Management of asplenia, CSF leaks, cochlear implants
- Renal Disease: Dosing considerations for chronic kidney disease patients
4. HPV Vaccine Updates
Additional updates to human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) recommendations also included in this comprehensive circular for adult immunisation.
5. Action for Your Practice
- Review detailed clinical tables and decision algorithms for patient eligibility
- Understand transition rules for patients with prior pneumococcal vaccines
- Train staff on new recommendations before implementation
- Prepare for documentation of prior vaccination history
- Track patients requiring specific spacing from prior doses
- Ensure accurate recording of vaccine strain and batch in patient records
6. Implementation Timeline
From date specified in this circular, but coordinated with broader September 2025 NAIS rollout.
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𝟭. 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
This circular provides comprehensive clinical recommendations for shingles and pneumococcal vaccines in NAIS following earlier announcements in MOH Circulars 03/2025 and 04/2025. Recommendations based on Expert Committee on Immunisation (ECI) advice and take effect from specified implementation dates. Embargo until 29 August 2025.
𝟮. 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 (𝗥𝗛𝗭𝗩) 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
• Target Groups: Same as circular 03/2025 (60+, 18-59 with immunocompromising conditions) • Dosing: Two doses at 2-6 month intervals (immunocompromised: may use 1-2 months for earlier protection) • Special Populations: Detailed guidance on specific immunocompromising conditions (to be specified in clinical recommendations) • Co-administration: Information on simultaneous administration with other vaccines • Previous Zoster...
𝟯. 𝗣𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗰𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 (𝗣𝗖𝗩𝟮𝟬) 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
• Single Dose Regimen: PCV20 single dose recommended (different from prior multi-dose approaches) • Prior PCV13/PPSV23: Detailed transition guidance for patients previously vaccinated with older pneumococcal vaccines • Timing Intervals: Specifications on minimum intervals from prior pneumococcal vaccines • Special Populations: Management of asplenia, CSF leaks, cochlear implants • Renal Disease: Dosing considerations for chronic...
𝟰. 𝗛𝗣𝗩 𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀
Additional updates to human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) recommendations also included in this comprehensive circular for adult immunisation.
Documents
Circular
Annexes