Shingles

It’s a while ago now, but I was on the doctor’s doorstep at dawn on the first day I was eligible for the shingles vaccination, I think it was my 70th birthday. I had heard such nasty stories about shingles that I was determined to avoid it if humanly possible.

I had no reaction whatsoever.

I also was diagnosed with latent shingles in Mid January! My daughter was staying with me at the time WFH and took photos of rash which appeared on left side of body only..a lot of tingling and itching and Gp prescribed hydrocortisone ointment and pain relief...hadn't heard of shingles for such a long time but was/still having work related stress and Gp stated my body was stressing out...

I have just returned from my Shingles jab at the Surgery.
No ill effects - thank you, everyone, for your support and help?

ixion pleaased to hear that. You can feel protected from that horrible disease now.

When this vaccine was first rolled out, it was done in a very strange way, we were told no need for anyone (then) over 80 to have it (not sure of reason for that), but for the rest they gave it to TWO year groups each year. Both of these groups were in their 70's. One group at the top end of this decade and the other group at the bottom end. Very strange.
So, it took nearly five years to get all those who were in their 70's at the start of the roll-out, vaccinated. I was unfortunate enought to have been born in one of the final years for this - so I was 78 yrs old before I was eligible (arranged it for the day after that birthday).

Once that was completed, the NHS now offers it to all reaching the 70th birthday each year. If you are over this age (but not yet 80), and have not had this, then you can ask your GP for it.