Submission on proposal to fund vaccine for the prevention of shingles in immunocompromised people

Rare Disorders NZ supports the principles behind the proposal to widen the access for recombinant varicella zoster virus vaccine (branded as Shingrix) for prevention of shingles in immunocompromised people from 1 July 2024.

This is an important step for immunocompromised people who are at both a higher risk of shingles and cannot receive the live vaccine.

However, we find the criteria very narrow and are extremely concerned by the exclusion of patients on immunocompromising therapies. Going forwards we urge Pharmac to consider how to include the rare disorder population in the drafting of Special Authority criteria containing lists of specific conditions and medicines, as such lists may unintentionally exclude people with rare disorders.

Read our full submission here