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FlapperFlamingo · 01/08/2026 19:50

Yes I paid to have the 2 doses of shringrix. I felt the lowered dementia risk was a good benefit and of course less risk from shingles. My Mum had shingles when she was older and it was very painful - so it’s good to know I am avoiding that.

24Dogcuddler · 01/08/2026 19:51

Worth it not to get Shingles. Absolute agony and lasted ages for me. Apparently you can get it again so I will get the jab once old enough.

Violetdeparma · 01/08/2026 19:58

How much is the jab ?

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LiliesOnTheWater · 01/08/2026 20:16

yes I did, as I have a very strong family history of dementia. It was extremely expensive, but I decided it would be money well worth spending. That was my main reason for doing it, but obviously protection from Shingles is good too. I don't konw yet if it's worth it as it's not really a very well-controlled experiment! I haven't had shingles and I have not yet developed dementia, but it's a long way off before I'd likely develop obvious symptoms, so hard to know really. I'm hoping for anything that might help. I am considering getting a TB vaccination as well as those are also supposed to have some effect, though it's not as strong as the potential effect from the shingles one, and it seems harder to get the TB one unless you are at risk or planning travel.

I had the Shingrix done at Boots. The first jab was fine; the second I had more side effect from and felt unwell the next morning (mainly awful headache plus aching, mild nausea, sore arm), but it only lasted 24 hours. I was given a form to give to my GP but don't know where it is now. I may still be offered the NHS one in due course when I reach the right age, and as far as I know, there's no harm in having it again at that point, if I haven't let them know I had it privately.

hellotomrw · 02/08/2026 20:22

I got shingles at 28. Is it worth me getting it?

hahabahbag · 02/08/2026 20:51

You are offered it at 65 on nhs

LiliesOnTheWater · 02/08/2026 20:51

If you are immunocompromised, you can get it from age 18, otherwise you have to wait til age 50, to have it privately. I guess whether it's worth it then depends on whether you're trying to avoid shingles or hoping for some dementia protection, and what your risk is for either of them. I think you can get shingles more than once, so possibly worth it for that, if you can afford it, but for me the main driver was trying to reduce dementia risk. I couldn't afford it really, but saved up and did without a lot last summer to get the money.

chirrupybird · 02/08/2026 20:54

You get offered it in the UK for free at a certain age, but if you want to get it earlier why not, I'm sure it's not hugely expensive.

Lovemydaxie · 02/08/2026 21:47

I paid to have as at 68, as I'm in the cohort that won't get it until I'm 70 on the NHS. It was expensive, about £460 for the 2 vaccines, but the reduction in dementia risk convinced me and I'm really glad I did. No problem with it other than a headache after the second one.

TheOctopus · 02/08/2026 21:51

Like @Lovemydaxie I'm 68 and paid for it. I'm also immune suppressed but not on the drugs to qualify.

Who can say whether it's worthwhile? Shingles is nasty and it's a bonus if it helps prevent dementia but we don't know for sure so I felt the cost was worth it for me.

MyDarlingRose · 02/08/2026 21:55

Does anyone know if the chickenpox vaccine is essentially the same thing? I had that 5 years ago because I had no antibodies.

Ali2012 · 02/08/2026 22:03

It’s expensive but I asked for birthday money for my 51st birthday present to myself! I got the 2 jabs at Boots. I think it’s worth it as my mum had shingles in mid 50s and was bedridden for a fortnight

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 02/08/2026 22:03

I’ve had shingles - thankfully not too badly but it was still very unpleasant - so to me the vaccination would be well worth paying for .

Just to add, I’m pretty sure I succumbed to it when I was thoroughly run down - firstly utterly exhausted after a very busy time, followed immediately by a stinking cold - and then shingles on top.

WearyAuldWumman · 02/08/2026 22:20

I had both of mine on the NHS (Scotland ) this year. Was a bit unwell, but feel it was worthwhile - I've had shingles twice.

Autumngirl5 · 02/08/2026 22:23

hahabahbag · 02/08/2026 20:51

You are offered it at 65 on nhs

It depends on your birth date. I have to wait until I am 70.

Makingsenseofitall · 03/08/2026 16:07

I have had one shingles dose privately and have the second one booked (the ideal gap between the two is two months). I did it because of the potential to reduce the risk of dementia but of course very happy to have the reduced likelihood of getting shingles benefit too. It is expensive. But I decided to prioritise it. The cost of dementia is far far higher.

DemonsandMosquitoes · 03/08/2026 16:41

MyDarlingRose · 02/08/2026 21:55

Does anyone know if the chickenpox vaccine is essentially the same thing? I had that 5 years ago because I had no antibodies.

No. Different vaccine.

Papyrophile · 03/08/2026 17:07

It depends. I'm in the group that is offered it on the NHS at 70, with a second a few months later. I'm 70 this week, but my sister has already had her first at 67.

DH has just had his second, and reacted more strongly.

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