News & Media
MDHHS Immunization Update
Currently, there are ordering limits and intermittent shipping delays for GlaxoSmithKline's Shingrix vaccine (Recombinant Zoster Vaccine; RZV) due to high demand. Until demand can be met, it is particularly important that vaccine providers educate patients about the importance of completing the series. Shingrix is a 2-dose series, with an interval of at least 2 months between doses. In addition, CDC and MDHHS remind health care professionals of proven strategies to help patients receive all their needed vaccinations on time, including Shingrix:
- Implement a vaccine reminder and recall system using phone, e-mail, or text messages to contact patients when you have Shingrix supply. Give first consideration to patients due for their second dose of Shingrix. Learn more >>
- Be sure to enter your patients' current vaccination information into the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR). This will ensure that every provider can access your patients' immunization record, and it may help facilitate patient reminders to complete the Shingrix series.
- If you are out of Shingrix and a patient needs a second dose, refer the patient to another known vaccine provider in the community that has Shingrix so the patient can complete the series.
- The immunization program at your state or local health department or vaccine locators can help identify other immunization providers. Learn more >>
- As supply becomes less constrained, be sure to notify eligible patients so they can come in to get their first dose of Shingrix.
- CDC still recommends Zostavax® for healthy adults 60 years and older to prevent shingles. This shingles vaccine may be used in certain cases, such as when a person prefers Zostavax or requests immediate vaccination and Shingrix is unavailable. Patients who have received Zostavax are recommended to subsequently receive the Shingrix series (2 doses, appropriately spaced).
- Age and time since receipt of Zostavax may be considered to determine when to vaccinate with Shingrix (minimum interval of 8 weeks). For patient assessment, use the MCIR to help determine zoster vaccine need and appropriate dose intervals.
Timely series completion is key to the success of any vaccination program and critical to ensuring patients receive the full benefit of their vaccinations.