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Shingles vaccine

(31 Posts)
MarianNicholson Tue 02-Nov-21 14:27:02

Having just had my winter flu vaccine - and being double-jabbed against COVID-19, I thought I'd check if getting the shingles vaccine (FREE TO ALL 70-79 Yr OLDS) was sensible too. Yes, it is.
So even if your GP has not suggested it, if you are in your 70s, make sure you get the shingles vaccine. In older people shingles (a reappearance of your chickenpox) can leave really horrible pain...

Elusivebutterfly Tue 02-Nov-21 14:29:30

I agree. There is also the pneumoccal vaccine which you can have from age 65, but it is not so well publicised - I had that recently.

Thoro Tue 02-Nov-21 14:36:28

I think they used to contact you when you hit 70 (they did with my husband) but haven’t done with me so I asked about it so…. I had my flu vaccine one week, my covid booster the following week and three weeks later (last week) my shingles vaccine.
It is good to remind people! (still got a horrible cold from the grandchildren ??)

BlueBelle Tue 02-Nov-21 14:37:51

I had my pneumonia and shingles together six years ago one in one arm one in the other
All good no side effects

M0nica Tue 02-Nov-21 15:22:07

i will have any vaccine that is going. Anything that can give me long-term protection from a clear threat to my life or wellbeing.

Grannyflower Fri 12-Nov-21 15:56:04

DH and I had our pneumonia jabs yesterday. Both fine. Only found out from a friend and didn’t know about shingles vaccine so thanks for sharing

mokryna Fri 12-Nov-21 19:12:51

Are both pneumonia and shingles for life?

GagaJo Fri 12-Nov-21 19:23:52

I was thinking about seeing if I could get this, despite not being 60 yet. I've just come out of a really nasty bout of neuropathic pain. If that was anything like shingles, I'd quite like to avoid it.

JenniferEccles Fri 12-Nov-21 19:26:09

I wonder how long the shingles vaccine protects us before we need another one?
I imagine it’s years but how many before immunity lags?

Shingles is such a horrid, painful thing.

LadyGracie Fri 12-Nov-21 21:36:49

DH had his pneumonia jab at 48, they reckon he should have a top up, he's 73.

FindingNemo15 Fri 12-Nov-21 21:57:04

I have had shingles twice in my ear and it was very painful. They would not give me the shingles jab as I often get flare ups and earache.

Kalu Fri 12-Nov-21 22:24:42

Vaccinations all up to date to cover Covid.
Flu and Booster both done on the same day.
Also, being 71 I was offered the shingles vaccination which I gladly accepted.Zostavax, one dose which is a one off and doesn’t require further top ups.

FindingNemo. It is normal practice to wait up to approx. one year after having shingles until you can be vaccinated. Hoping you won’t be suffering any flares ups within the time limit and you are cleared for vaccination.

Granmarderby10 Fri 12-Nov-21 22:29:26

MarianNicholson it’s strange that the Shingles vaccine is rarely mentioned, considering it is - by all accounts, painful and quite common.
I saw a poster in my surgery long before covid struck; extolling the benefits of getting vaccinated. It was illustrated with a photo of a rather trendy “older woman” yet neglected to mention what even the basic symptoms were of Shingles so I for one was none the wiser. Sometimes the NHS baffles me?

FannyCornforth Sat 13-Nov-21 00:35:33

People who are immune suppressed cannot have the shingles vaccine as it is a live vaccine, just thought that I’d mention that

Riverwalk Sat 13-Nov-21 05:03:55

Fanny there is a non-live shingles vaccine for the immuno-suppressed, and given as two separate doses.

Whiff Sat 13-Nov-21 09:30:21

There is a big poster up in my GPs surgery that has been there since I joined the practice over 2 years ago. With all the vaccines available and the ages you can have them.

It is a health authority poster I assumed all surgeries had them on display. As in my old practice they also had the poster.

FannyCornforth Sat 13-Nov-21 09:34:14

Is there really Riverwalk? Thank you, that’s very helpful. I wonder why the GP has never mentioned it.
Thank you again

henetha Sat 13-Nov-21 09:58:41

I missed out on the shingles vaccine when I was 79 due to medical reasons. Now that I am older and the medical reasons are resolved, would I still be able to have it?

Marmite32 Sat 13-Nov-21 20:03:58

I was given the choice between flu and shingles vaccine and chose flu. But now I wish I'd chosen shingles. Which I have now.
Like Finding Nemo I have it in my ear and the pain is almost unbearable though not all the time.Evidently it's a main nerve in its death throes.
Get the vaccine!

ayse Sat 13-Nov-21 20:14:11

I can’t wait for next year. I will be 70 and hoping to get my shingles vaccine. I’ve only had it once and hope never again. To answer henetha’s question the NHS website says 70-79 so I suggest you contact your surgery and just ask the question.

If you haven’t had one and are eligible do get one. It will save you huge amounts of pain.

MarinaL Sat 13-Nov-21 23:44:07

I am now in my second week of having shingles which is in my back,left arm and chest. Before the rash appeared the pain was so bad that NHS 111 sent an emergency ambulance as it was mirroring a heart attack. Thankfully it wasn't but the pain at times is unbearable, I am tearing my hair out with it. I had the vaccine 3 or 4 years ago! Don't hesitate to get it though, I guess I'm just unlucky.

Sparklefizz Sun 14-Nov-21 08:19:18

MarinaL How horrible for you. My Mum said the pain of Shingles was worse than childbirth. I do hope you soon feel better. flowers

Gajahgran Sun 14-Nov-21 09:02:17

I had shingles in the eye but unfortunately as I now have to have steroid eye drops the nurse at the surgery refused to give me the vaccine. Shingles is very painful and in some cases life changing I would having the vaccine if you are able.

henetha Sun 14-Nov-21 09:58:57

Thank you Ayse. I will phone the surgery to ask. Shingles sounds horrible.

Mattsmum2 Sun 14-Nov-21 10:31:43

My mums got hers in a few weeks and they’ve said her pneumonia should be done a week later ?‍♀️