Shingles vaccination: to have it or not

[YerMaw16608]

Has anyone any helpful info on whether shingles vaccination is 100% necessary? I've heard several folk say they found it very unpleasant, and some even missed the second vaccination because they were anxious about that.

I'm not sure I'll qualify, (is there an age requirement?) but I'd be happy to pay to have it as soon as I've got over my first bout of shingles. On day 6 of antivirals.

The nerve pain has been really awful.

Much, much, much better than having shingles! Plus the second dose is 6-12 months later, so by then surely people will have got over the side effects of the first one.

I've had both injections with no after effects whatsoever. And I know several people who were really ill with shingles

DH and I, and several of our friends, have had the vaccines with no side effects.
Shingles can be miserable, painful and in some cases lead to long lasting nerve pain, even sight loss if facial nerves are affected.
There have been several threads on Shingles vaccine on MN: have read of this one for example: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/amibeingunreasonable/5313442-to-say-shingles-vaccines

I had shingles 15 years ago and have chronic pain and damaged eye sight because of it. I'd have the vaccination if I could (but I'm too young).

Yes, I've just finished seven days of five antivirals a day and my shingles aren't even that bad (was thrilled that the Dr said I shouldn't have lasting nerve pain as I am young and healthy!). I know it's something that can be more unpleasant as you get older. There are also a lot of studies which have linked the vaccine with lower rates of dementia Shingles vaccine may help prevent and slow dementia, study finds - News - Cardiff University https://share.google/fRlUZAQd6ZzFo4HWX

I had shingles as a child and it wasn't that bad, so I wouldn't have had the vaccine if I had been offered it.

However, I got shingles again this year and it was agony. Just wearing clothes hurt. And when I sneezed, I felt like my torso was being ripped apart on a rack. So I'd take it like a shot now.

I had to really push to have mine* and I was so very relieved to have it! I had both doses, 6 months apart. Slightly sore arm for a couple of days - no other side effects.

*England GP surgery. I’m immunocompromised and 50+. GP surgery seems incapable of maintaining this information on my records for some reason.

Had both injections, 6 months apart, early 50s due to cancer treatment. Was fine after 1st, unwell for a few days with 2nd, but no regrets and would do it again. Had chickenpox in my late 20s, and the nerve pain with that was horrendous enough.

They are now saying they believe the shingles vaccine helps guard against vascular problems and dementia. That's a good enough reason for me.

Have it. My friend’s DM had shingles and she’s basically never recovered. It’s been years now. She was in her late sixties when she got it and it’s ruined her quality of life

My Dad had this vaccination with no ill effects.

I think you’d find shingles potentially far more unpleasant. To me, it’s a no brainer. It’s also thought that it may be protective against Alzheimer’s.

Had shingles in my late 60s, a stark reminder of the agony (for me) of the final stage of childbirth though it lasted for weeks. ASAP I paid for the jabs which had no ill effects. I’d do anything to avoid going through that again.

Recommended for those over 65 years. I will have it when older because shingles is very painful. Having said that, my 15 y old had it recently with no symptoms at all except the rash. Not contagious unless the person hasn't had chicken pox.

My father hated needles and generally refused all vaccinations.

He almost ran to the GP surgery when they said he could have a shingles jab. Apparently the memory of one bout of shingles 50 years earlier was that powerful.

I’ll definitely be having it when I qualify.

I'm early 40s and had shingles about 4 years ago. It was absolute agony, I couldn't wear any clothes on my top half, and the muscular pain was truly awful. I still have times now when I feel like there are bugs crawling under my skin.

Have the vaccine.

Supposedly the guidance has changed now to over 18 and severely immuno-compromised. Which means me!

Based on this thread, time for me to call my gp surgery and ask for it!

There's evidence the live vaccination protects against Alzheimers.

new evidence shows the shingles vaccine also reduces the risk of Alzheimers. so definitely get it.

I'm immunocompromised but that doesn't seem to qualify me. I'm also 67 so in a small group who can't have it until I'm 70.
I had shingles once in my 40s. Very painful.
The vaccine is about £400 privately I believe.

@TheSpottedZebra I think the definition of "severely" is quite narrow.
Being on three immuno suppressing drugs including methotrexate doesn't count apparently.

Oh no! I did look for the definition, but couldn't find it easily laid out.
I'd also probably not 'qualify ' in that case then.

Not everyone over 65 can get it, there are some strange age rules around it, I'm 67 and can't have it until 70

Ok, In case it's relevant to anyone, HERE is the link to the green book criteria for post-18 shingles vax for immuno suppressed people. Page 8.