NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust
The aim of the national shingles immunisation programme is to lower the incidence and severity of shingles in older people. It is recommended that it be routinely offered to people aged 70 years.
Whilst the vaccine is authorised for use from age 50 years and is effective in this age group, the burden of shingles disease is generally not as severe in those aged 50-69 years when compared with older ages. Furthermore, given that the duration of protection is not known to last for more than ten years and the need for a second dose is not known, the vaccine is not recommended to be offered routinely below 70 years of age. Administration after 80 years of age is less cost-effective due to the limited effectiveness of the vaccine in older individuals.
Varilrix is indicated for active immunisation against varicella of healthy subjects (from the age of 9 months).
Vaccination of susceptible healthy close contacts of subjects at risk of severe varicella is recommended, in order to reduce the risk of transmission of wild-type virus to these patients. Close contacts include parents and siblings of high-risk patients, and medical and paramedical personnel.
VARIVAX is indicated for vaccination against varicella in individuals from 12 months of age.
VARIVAX can be administered to infants from 9 months of age under special circumstances, such as to conform with national vaccination schedules or in outbreak situations.
VARIVAX may also be administered to susceptible individuals who have been exposed to varicella. Vaccination within 3 days of exposure may prevent a clinically apparent infection or modify the course of the infection. In addition, there are limited data that indicate that vaccination up to 5 days after exposure may modify the course of the infection
RED - Hospital only – to be prescribed by a specialist and supplied from secondary care ONLY throughout treatment.
Amber medicines are considered suitable for GP prescribing following specialist initiation or recommendation.
Shared Care - these medicines require specialist initiation and stabilisation. Ongoing division of responsibility for drug and disease monitoring between specialist and GP by a Shared Care Guideline (SCG). If no SCG in place status reverts to red.
These medicines are appropriate for initiation in both primary and secondary care. Prescribing is appropriate within licensed or local recommendations.
Suitable for patient to be directed to buy themselves
Not currently used. We intend to include this TLS in future to highlight where a decision to use this medicine is under review.
(In use from Oct 2020) Used where a decision has been made by the BSW APC not to routinely commission this preparation for its licensed indications. Do not prescribe.
Not currently used. We intend to include this TLS in future to highlight where this medicine and indication is ONLY available through a Specialist Centre according to a NICE Highly Specialised Technology or NHSE Specialised Commission Circular / Policy.
