To say, shingles vaccines!

[user109876543]

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

Yes, I'm 67 and ineligible but DH who is 64 will be eligible before me

Elderly people 67, that's just normal retirement age !!
.I was offered it, just as I was offered the first Covid Vax,so I declined. I was also very unwell after the pneumo Vax,Dr said he had never seen a reaction like it. I do know how awful shingles can be was nursing before I retired

do you need it if you’ve already had shingles?

Yes, it can reduce the odds of a future outbreak and lessen length and severity if you do have one.

Also, see the article linked above about its apparent correlation to a reduction in dementia. I'd think it would be worth it for that alone.

My first one was really nasty, second was ok, but my mum (a doctor) says in her experience the temporary side effects can be really unpleasant for a day or two, but much much better than shingles. She's the one who pretty my insisted we pay and get it before we were eligible.

Plus, the link to a reduction in dementia cases would be worth it on its own for me.

I paid the £200 something (was more like £290 cpuple of years ago I think) in Boots after seeing the extreme pain my family member (early sixties) went through. Worth it. I've only had the first does as research suggests the second is probably unnecessary, but I might get it to be sure next time I have some spare cash.

DH is immunocompromised (autoimmune condition) so can get on NHS I think, early fifties. Do they definitely do the newer non live one now?

Thanks for the reminder @user109876543 , I'll be contacting my Drs to ask if I can have this.

DH is immunocompromised (autoimmune condition) so can get on NHS I think, early fifties. Do they definitely do the newer non live one now?

Yes. It's called Shingrix. Immune-compromised patients should only ever be given this one, which has been largely rolled out across the NHS anyway to replace the live Zostavax.

If you like you can go with him (my DP came in with me, as I was having a bit of an arthritic flare-up so he helped me into the nurse's room) and make sure you set eyes on the box and the vial before the jab.

I am having a terrible time with shingles right now and would absolutely second the advice to get vaccinated, even if you have to pay. I would actually go further and say it's worth campaigning to get the chickenpox vaccine added to the baby immunisation schedule, so that the generation being born now need never have any risk at all of getting shingles. I wouldn't wish the pain and suffering on my worst enemy.

It is, I had it on my face and my eye, had three visits to hospital eye department over Christmas 23. I also had it years ago at base of spine, still have little scars there.

Had first part of shingles vaccination month or so ago, arm was quite painful, lumpy, red itchy rash for a week. Didn't expect that to happen. 2nd part six months after.

Can't wait ... 🙄

Husbands friend had it. Was on morphine for a while. He's still not right.

Yes I'm one of the unlucky ones, I'm 6 days too young. We are providing a handy control group to see if we get more dementia.

£460 at Boots. That's half a months pension

Actually I think it is 6 days too old. But maybe it is worth paying even if it messes up their experiment.

I got an invitation for a shingles jab but unfortunately it was whilst I was away. I asked if there were any more dates and was basically told take it or leave it. So it appears I can’t have a jab.
I do wish the NHS would stop spending vast amounts on advertising when they clearly cannot provide the services they offer.

Another over 60 who has never had chicken pox ( despite siblings both having had it when we were children) so would I need the jab ?
I couldn't see an answer on the NHS website.

It’s coming. The childhood immunisation schedule is being reorganised with initial changes starting this summer.
Pratcice nurse.

Late 60s and not eligiblefor vaccine. Currently have shingles.
I had no idea how bad it could be. The pain!
Haven't slept properly for a month.
A friend said "childbirth comes nowhere near" . Truly excruciating and have no idea how long it will last. Could be weeks, months or years. Younger sibling already had the vaccine as eligible. I'm glad that hopefully she will never know what this viscious virus is like.

Aw @Beemail2, sorry to hear that. Hope it improves for you soon.

Yes I fall into this category,so does DH;however,he turns 70 at the weekend so I hope that he at least gets his invitation fairly soon now .

I'm sorry to everyone who is currently suffering, or has suffered with shingles.

@Choccyp1g That's frustrating. But, if you can stretch to it, I'd mess up their experiment.

@DemonsandMosquitoes Yes, I've heard that and glad to hear it. My kids were vaxxed for varicella as we were living in the US. Back in the days when the US used to believe in vaccines before the current bonkers regime...

I'd take that one up with the practice manager of your GP surgery, seriously. That's really bad.

Husband had the same issue post COVID. Hit 70 phoned the surgery, none in stock they'd contact him. This went on for 18 months with him checking now and again. Finally they called him in. Don't know if there was a shortage but when he offered to pay they said no.

Bumping

Yes, I believe there was a shortage for a while. We paid to get them privately as we are considerably too young for the NHS ones and I had my first, then had to wait quite a while for my second as they were out of stock. I think I got in just under the window of when I would have had to repeat the first one.