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Original poster

To say, shingles vaccines!

102 replies

user109876543 · 12/04/2025 12:26

As a public service announcement.

Get them if you're of an age, and encourage any older parents or relatives to get them.

Not only do they protect against the nightmare of shingles, but there is now good evidence they have a protective effect against dementia.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03201-5

The recombinant shingles vaccine is associated with lower risk of dementia - Nature Medicine

A natural experiment including more than 200,000 people who received a shingles vaccine reveals that, within 6 years of vaccination, the recombinant vaccine is associated with lower risk of dementia than is the live vaccine.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03201-5?error=cookies_not_supported&code=4d098915-3795-42c2-9c6d-fe3881e0a4a2

OP posts:
HereintheloveofChristIstand · 12/04/2025 15:45

Horrible disease. My mum and a friend have both had it and felt awful.

DoAWheelie · 12/04/2025 15:46

Is it possible to get the shingles vaccine when you are under the usual age if you've had shingles before?

stayathomer · 12/04/2025 15:47

They had a show on the radio informing people once and it was horrible the stories people had, people having similar to strokes as a result

Smoothandsmooth · 12/04/2025 15:53

Does anyone know a reason not to have it (if paying privately) if you’re early 50’s?

Myaccountismyaccount · 12/04/2025 15:54

I had shingles 14 years ago, ended up with reduced sight in one eye and post hepatic neuralgia down one side of my body. Still take high dose painkillers now. I advise anyone that can get the vaccine to do so.

Original poster
user109876543 · 12/04/2025 15:58

Smoothandsmooth · 12/04/2025 15:53

Does anyone know a reason not to have it (if paying privately) if you’re early 50’s?

No, we did.

Our doctor recommended it (as does my mother who is a doctor). Apparently it's still effective, but not as effective if you've already had an incidence of shingles.

I found the first jab a fairly unpleasant vaccine in terms of temporary side effects (sore arm, a bit of fever, fluey symptoms for 24 hours) but my DH was fine, second shot fine for both of us.

OP posts:
Smoothandsmooth · 12/04/2025 16:47

Thanks @user109876543

MissyB1 · 12/04/2025 16:54

Pekkala · 12/04/2025 15:38

I've just had my first shot in Boots today - £230; with another jab (+ another £230) in a few weeks. I'm 53 so not eligible on the NHS for years but after seeing the effect on an old schoolfriend this year I bit the bullet and paid. He had it badly and has taken months to get back to being himself.

You've inspired me, I'm 57 this year but I think I will pay and get it done.

TheAutumnCrow · 12/04/2025 17:01

Btw (and I’ve a previous thread on this!) if your GP surgery says you’re not eligible for the Shingrix jab and you’re immunocompromised and think that therefore you are, don’t give up.

I have had a running battle with mine for over four years to sort out my coding on its system and keep it up to date, regarding my immunocompromised status and eligibility for vaccinations. The staff are lovely but it seems whoever is running the coding isn’t matching it up correctly with the ‘Green Book’; and/or their software design is crap.

The thread’s searchable under ‘AutumnCrow’ and Shingrix, I imagine.

ffsfindmeausername · 12/04/2025 17:02

does the shingles vaccine give immunity for life or does its have to be re-administered every year or so?

JohnTheRevelator · 12/04/2025 17:03

I ended up totally confused anywho is eligible.

TheAutumnCrow · 12/04/2025 17:09

ffsfindmeausername · 12/04/2025 17:02

does the shingles vaccine give immunity for life or does its have to be re-administered every year or so?

It’s a course of two jabs, and that’s it, at present.

YessandNno · 12/04/2025 17:09

Annoyeddd · 12/04/2025 13:24

There is a small but significant group of elderly people age 67-69 who are not eligible. Too young for the original over 70 cut off but too old for the current over 65 cut off so have to wait

The eligibility criteria are insane! DH and I are both currently ineligible - and bizarrely, younger siblings will be eligible before we are!

Almostwelsh · 12/04/2025 17:15

Smoothandsmooth · 12/04/2025 15:53

Does anyone know a reason not to have it (if paying privately) if you’re early 50’s?

I could be wrong about this, as I'm not a medic but I read that the vaccine can only be taken once effectively and if you have it too young then immunity might wear off by the time you're elderly and really need it.

Original poster
user109876543 · 12/04/2025 17:22

Almostwelsh · 12/04/2025 17:15

I could be wrong about this, as I'm not a medic but I read that the vaccine can only be taken once effectively and if you have it too young then immunity might wear off by the time you're elderly and really need it.

Show quote history

I've been told that it's still around 80% effective ten years later. I'm guessing they'll know more precisely in a few years.

OP posts:
Annoyeddd · 12/04/2025 17:23

Fortunately shingles now comes under the pharmacy first scheme so can start treatment without having to wait weeks for a GP appointment if you cannot get the vaccine

everythingeverything1981 · 12/04/2025 17:28

How does it work though? Isn't a souped up version of the chicken pox vaccine? Surely if you have already have had chicken pox you will have antibodies anyway? I thought you got shingles when you were just run down in general so how would a vaccine make a difference?

everythingeverything1981 · 12/04/2025 17:30

Also never had a vaccine since I felt weird as fuck in my head for months after a hep B one. It's not the vaccine I don't trust, it's the adjuvants.

Sidge · 12/04/2025 17:32

DoAWheelie · 12/04/2025 15:46

Is it possible to get the shingles vaccine when you are under the usual age if you've had shingles before?

No, previous shingles infection isn’t a criteria for vaccination.

Sidge · 12/04/2025 17:35

everythingeverything1981 · 12/04/2025 17:28

How does it work though? Isn't a souped up version of the chicken pox vaccine? Surely if you have already have had chicken pox you will have antibodies anyway? I thought you got shingles when you were just run down in general so how would a vaccine make a difference?

When you’ve had chicken pox the virus never fully goes away, just dormant usually along nerves. The vaccine prevents the virus being reactivated, which apparently is more likely as we get older or when immune compromised.

Sophue · 12/04/2025 17:35

My sister went for her second jab earlier this week and has had an awful reaction to it. Has anyone else had a reaction to it?

TheAutumnCrow · 12/04/2025 17:36

Sophue · 12/04/2025 17:35

My sister went for her second jab earlier this week and has had an awful reaction to it. Has anyone else had a reaction to it?

I had a reaction yes, but it was temporary and worth it for the relief I felt (and still feel), tbh.

justasking111 · 12/04/2025 17:41

Annoyeddd · 12/04/2025 13:24

There is a small but significant group of elderly people age 67-69 who are not eligible. Too young for the original over 70 cut off but too old for the current over 65 cut off so have to wait

I'm in that bracket and fuming about it.

everythingeverything1981 · 12/04/2025 17:42

Sidge · 12/04/2025 17:35

When you’ve had chicken pox the virus never fully goes away, just dormant usually along nerves. The vaccine prevents the virus being reactivated, which apparently is more likely as we get older or when immune compromised.

Show quote history

Fair enough. Why haven't they got one for for fucking herpes though (cold sore ATM) that is one I would pay for