@Article{Kuchar2025,
journal="Family Medicine \& Primary Care Review",
issn="1734-3402",
volume="27",
number="3",
year="2025",
title="Vaccination against shingles. Recommendations of a group of experts from Polish scientific societies – update 2025",
abstract="Herpes zoster affects approximately 117,000–142,000 people in Poland annually, and up to 30% of those affected develop post-herpetic neuralgia. Incidence rates and complications rise after 50 years in adults with chronic diseases or immunosuppression. The adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) provides protection for at least 11 years and exhibits a favorable safety profile. To update the 2023 Polish multidisciplinary recommendations on HZ vaccination, an expert panel was convened by ten Polish scientific societies. The panel systematically reviewed literature from January 2019 to July 2025, national surveillance data, product characteristics, and international guidelines. The panel recommends: (1) routine two-dose RZV for every adult ≥ 50 years; (2) RZV for adults ≥ 18 years with congenital, acquired, or anticipated immunosuppression, haemato-oncological or solid-organ transplants; (3) vaccination of adults ≥18 years with chronic cardiac, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, metabolic, neurological, rheumatological, or psychiatric disorders;   (4) vaccination of individuals with a history of HZ or with close contact to young children; (5) no serological confirmation of prior varicella; (6) complete the series after interruptions without restarting; (7) patient- and healthcare provider focused education. The authorized schedule is two doses, 2–6 months apart (a one-month interval is permissible before planned immunosuppression). From April 1, 2025, RZV is reimbursed at 50% for specified risk groups and is free for adults aged 65 years or older who fulfill the reimbursement criteria. The broad implementation of these 2025 recommendations is expected to substantially reduce the HZ burden and post-herpetic complications in Poland, particularly within primary care settings.",
author="Kuchar, Ernest
and Ledwoch, Justyna
and Bil, Jacek
and Czajkowska-Malinowska, Małgorzata
and Gil, Robert
and Kocot-Kępska, Magdalena
and Kowalska, Irina
and Krajewska, Magdalena
and Kułakowska, Alina
and Mastalerz-Migas, Agnieszka
and Narbutt, Joanna
and Nojszewska, Monika
and Przeklasa-Muszyńska, Anna
and Rejdak, Konrad
and Rudnicka, Lidia
and Szenborn, Leszek
and Szepietowski, Jacek
and Tomasiewicz, Krzysztof
and Wysocki, Jacek
and Zmysłowska, Agnieszka
and Nitsch-Osuch, Aneta",
pages="360--369",
doi="10.5114/fmpcr.2025.153664",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/fmpcr.2025.153664"
}