Has anyone had the Shingrix (shingles) vaccine?

[MysteryofNils]

I had shingles a few years ago and then got it again so I was recommended the Shingrix vaccine to stop it coming back.

They said my arm would be sore and my god, they weren't joking. I can barely move it today! I see online it says the symptoms should calm down in 2-3 days. Just wondering if anyone else had had it!

No I would like to but although I'm 66 I fall outside the NHS criteria. There is some odd rule that if you just turn 65 or are over 70 you qualify. It's about £400 privately I believe.
All vaccines give a sore arm so that wouldn't put me off

You aren't outside the guidelines. Depending on the area you reside it may be that your trust is playing catch up and are currently working on different age groups. You will be called eventually but it may take time.

Shingrix has a lot of folk complaining about arm pain. You aren't the only one. It does seem a wee bit thicker when made up. But please keep trying to move your arm and it should pass soon.

Can you take ibuprofen? Hot and cool packs to help.

Also I'm not hearing people say that the 2nd dose is as uncomfortable.

ah that's great news about the 2nd one @Plonkydonkey

@Merro this is more than just a sore arm - it's horribly painful but I must admit, it is starting to feel slightly better today (day 2) so hopefully it's not going to last too much longer!

@Plonkydonkey From gov website.
Individuals aged 66 to 69 years will have to wait until they become 70 to receive shingles vaccine.
Anyone whose 65th birthday occurred before 31 August 2023 will not be eligible until they turn 70. You will be invited by your GP practice to have the vaccine.
Eventually the vaccine will be offered to everyone over 60 but this is being phased in to make sure the NHS can deliver this programme effectively alongside other seasonal and routine vaccination programmes and other healthcare priorities.

I work in a Scottish healthboard and it's being done in stages here with people being invited. I'm doing a mix of age groups just now. There is also a 50 plus severely immunosuppred group who are eligible. Those are referred in.

Shingles is horrible. Hopefully as they move through the cohort you will get called sooner. Guidelines change frequently.

Yes I paid for it privately as deposited having RA and being on biologics the NHS seem me not to need it and my rheumatologist said if I could afford to to get it privately.

My arm hurt for a week after- sorry. But it did go!

I had my worst reaction after Shringrix. Aside from the arm, I had flu-like symptoms like never before. Shivering under many layers and the thickest blanket ever!

Thanks all - yes I'm a bit fluey today but have taken ibuprofen just now so hopefully that will ward it off!

Still better than shingles though and that awful nerve pain afterwards (I keep telling myself!)

What causes the intense pain does anyone know?

I'm on the list for this soon and am a bit wary as I am unable to take NSAIDs at all.

But as PP said, it's probably better than nerve pain from shingles, and it does pass relatively quickly.

It's because it's quite a "thick" injection.
I have B12 (have had for over 25 years), also very viscous and ouchy. Sometimes it settles in an hour, sometimes takes a day or two. I have them every 12 weeks. Also, sometimes get very light-headed and hot/cold (more so recently with the fun of menopause).
It will get better

Yes, I'm 66 as well and DH who is 63 will have his before me, it is a strange way of doing it.

Ive had it, plus the booster at 6 months and OMG did it make me feel rough for 3-4 days. The first shot was slightly worse but the second was still pretty bad. Much worse than any other jab Ive had

Def worth it though, shingles can be a real nightmare with actual disease, not just the feel crappy and exhausted but not actually ill that the shot gives you

I thought about it last year when I became eligible but decided against, having read about possible longlasting side effects