Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Shingles vaccination: to have it or not

68 replies

YerMaw16608 · 30/12/2025 19:50

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.

OP posts:

SparklingCrow · 30/12/2025 22:37

TheSpottedZebra · 30/12/2025 22:30

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.

Show quote history

It’s in the Government’s ‘Green Book’

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/689cba1b1c63de6de5bb12a9/Green-book-chapter-Shingles_12_8_24.pdf

SparklingCrow · 30/12/2025 22:39

Cross-posted with you there, @TheSpottedZebra!

JudyP · 30/12/2025 22:42

Not sure if anyone else posted this but it’s been shown to reduce the severity of dementia so worth it just for that
https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/03/shingles-vaccination-dementia.html

For those living with dementia, new study suggests shingles vaccine could slow the disease

A new analysis of a vaccination program in Wales found that the shingles vaccine not only appeared to lower new dementia diagnoses by 20%, it also helped those who already have the disease.

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/03/shingles-vaccination-dementia.html

Myblueclematis · 30/12/2025 22:42

I've had shingles twice, the second time in my eye and my face, it was bloody horrible and had to go to the emergency eye department at our main hospital for treatment.

I've had both doses of shingles vaccination this year, had some discomfort with it but if it means I may never get shingles again or if I do it won't be as bad as before, it's definitely worth it.

24Dogcuddler · 30/12/2025 22:45

I had shingles and never felt pain like it. Felt like red hot needles being pushed into my skin. Couldn’t even sleep in bed. Sat upright in a chair for 3 weeks at night. The nerve pain continued for years afterwards.
Had half a term off work ( unheard of) and still went back before Dr said I should have.
I will absolutely be having the vaccines when I qualify.
Hadn’t heard about the dementia research.

Negroany · 30/12/2025 22:50

My sister is adamant she got shingles from the vaccine (she definitely had shingles, was on antivirals and oramorph) and declined the second half of the vaccine for fear of getting it again.

I'm a bit confused by this and can only think it was a coincidence.

I had shingles very mildly years ago and it was agony!

user23442721 · 31/12/2025 01:55

Negroany · 30/12/2025 22:50

My sister is adamant she got shingles from the vaccine (she definitely had shingles, was on antivirals and oramorph) and declined the second half of the vaccine for fear of getting it again.

I'm a bit confused by this and can only think it was a coincidence.

I had shingles very mildly years ago and it was agony!

It must have been coincidence as the vaccine doesn't contain any live virus.

WorriedMutha · 31/12/2025 02:04

I echo what most people say. I've had first jab and am about to get the second but only with a 3 month gap. Contrary to other posters who say 6 months.

FictionalCharacter · 31/12/2025 03:28

I've had the first dose of vaccine. I won't lie, I felt rough for a day or so. But it's worth it to avoid the utter misery of shingles.

Sbmpp · 31/12/2025 05:16

Had a very good friend left in agony after shingles. No amount of pain meds. or medical devices helped the pain. He suffered for two years before dying of a heart attack.

violetfirth · 31/12/2025 05:26

WorriedMutha · 31/12/2025 02:04

I echo what most people say. I've had first jab and am about to get the second but only with a 3 month gap. Contrary to other posters who say 6 months.

Same, had it with a 3 month gap. Absolutely zero side-effects with it.

countrygirl99 · 31/12/2025 05:34

I had no side effects after the first jab and just felt a bit rough and tired for a day after the second. DH was the same. I don't know anyone who has had worse and several people I know have had zero side effects from both jabs.

3flyingducksarrive · 31/12/2025 05:44

I've had the vaccination, three months apart. It was a painful jab and I felt unwell for a couple of days after with a very sore arm. It also cost me 600AUD but I am really glad I did it when the GP suggested it. As unpleasant as it was, it's way better than shingles.

SouthernNights59 · 31/12/2025 05:50

I had the vaccinations, two months apart. I had a mild reaction to the first, but had another vaccination at the same time which could have had an effect, and the second one was fine. Shingles is not pleasant at all so why wouldn't you want to avoid it?

BeAmberZebra · 31/12/2025 06:15

It’s not 100% effective. I got shingles after getting the vax.

yellowsun · 31/12/2025 07:15

My 16 year old DS had shingles on his face, in his ear and one side of his mouth. He was in agony. Luckily the nerve pain didn’t last longer than a couple of weeks but I was so worried it would spread to his eye. I wish he could get the vaccination!

Can you get it earlier privately?

Londonnight · 31/12/2025 07:23

I have had the shingles vaccines six months apart. No side effects for me.

SparklingCrow · 31/12/2025 07:25

user23442721 · 31/12/2025 01:55

It must have been coincidence as the vaccine doesn't contain any live virus.

Show quote history

Yes indeed, the Shingrix vaccine isn’t a live vaccine. That’s why immunosuppressed people can get it.

We were not advised to have the old-style one, Zostavax - there’s a blast from the past! - but even with that the chances of a mild rash were something like 1:10,000, I think.

MagneticSquirrel · 31/12/2025 07:28

I’m getting it privately as soon as I can (age restricted to 50+) or you have to wait until 65-70 on NHS. Not worth the risk of life-long limitations/changes … especially with 10-15 years of working/pension building years to go!

PersephoneParlormaid · 31/12/2025 07:30

Friend of mine recently had shingles but the worst thing was the side effects that the antivirals gave her.

Parcell · 31/12/2025 07:35

Definitely have it. My mum has had it three times and was in a great deal of pain. She is too old for the vaccination now:

Fingalscave · 31/12/2025 07:38

Seeing how shingles has affected a few people I know, I was glad to have the vaccine. It made me feel ill for 2 days but that's acceptable I think.

Lovemydaxie · 31/12/2025 07:50

At 67 I'm in the group of people who can't have the vaccine on the NHS until I'm 70. I debated about paying for it and as soon as I read that it is believed it protects you from dementia and heart disease I decided to bite the bullet and pay. It was £460 for the 2 vaccines which I had 2 months apart and it was money well spent. Felt a bit off for a day or 2 but so much better than shingles. I wouldn't hesitate having it OP.

Cyclistmumgrandma · 31/12/2025 08:12

I’ve had both doses of the vaccine. No side effects whatsoever.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 31/12/2025 08:25

I had shingles in 1993 - barely noticed it - and again in 2020 - utterly miserable but thankfully on my torso. A colleague had it in his ears and eyes, I dont even want to think about how awful that was for him.

I will skip to the surgery when im eligible for the vaccine.

Flip

1 2 3