Anyone like me and at 66 have to wait until 70 for a shingles vacination?

Yes it's very annoying. The rules seem crazy. I was 66 in May.

Didn’t know I could have it at 65 - I’m
66 now and 3 weeks ago came down with Covid and 2 days later got shingles on top / if only I’d had the vaccination

Thank you, OldFrill. I'm hoping for a call back tomorrow from my doc so maybe I can ask him then...

It’s seems that people turning 65 are able to get the shingles vacc ( in England and Wales) but those of us 66 -69 have to wait until we are 70. It’s some sort of catch up to vaccinate both 65 and 70 year olds this year - but not the in betweens- who stick to the original age 70 timing.once the catch up is done the eligible age will be 65- although I thought I’d read somewhere that the plan is for a lower age group to be added eventually. It does seem a bit odd but I presume the nhs could cope with doubling the number eligible (adding the 65 year olds to the 70 year olds) but not five times ( all 65-70 year olds) as many in the this year. There is also a newer vaccine.

I was in a catch 22 situation like you Bea65 and last had Shingles about 14 months ago (3rd time).
We decided it was worth finding the money and paying and that is what I’ve done rather than wait another 5 years.
I am also a “WASPI”, are you?
So am having to wait for State Pension. Not very happy about either.

Whiff I hate this Tv ad since September telling you 65s and over can get jab - My GP says no … have to wait till I’m 70 -reminded him that I had Shingles in Jan 2020 and was unwell for 6-8 weeks so I should be eligible.. rules say No😕

I was too young to get the shingles jab , then I was too old ! So I hope I don’t get infected !

henetha

I'm 86 and still waiting for mine.

Henetha, It's not offered routinely to 80+ as it's not deemed to be effective enough. If you have underlying conditions it may be worth discussing with your GP.

I don't think my DH has been offered the shingles vac.

This year apparently I can't have the flu jab as I'm not old enough 😂 last year I was! and the year before that.

4allweknow

I wouldn't count on the shingles vaccination giving full protection. I had shingles at 60. At 65 my GP told me I was due a shingles vaccine. I told him I'd had shingles so why did I need a vaccine. For better protection apparently. Early this year, 12 years later what did I have, yes Shingles. Could not believe it and it was worse than first time.
Take the vaccine but don't think of it as a magical potion.

Immunity only stays strong for 7 years.

I'm 86 and still waiting for mine.

I wouldn't count on the shingles vaccination giving full protection. I had shingles at 60. At 65 my GP told me I was due a shingles vaccine. I told him I'd had shingles so why did I need a vaccine. For better protection apparently. Early this year, 12 years later what did I have, yes Shingles. Could not believe it and it was worse than first time.
Take the vaccine but don't think of it as a magical potion.

Of course there have to be age restrictions.

But the issue here is that the free vaccine is now available in the UK not only to all over 70s, but also to anyone turning 65 on or after 1 September 2023. Those of us who were aged 65, 66, 67, 68 or 69 as of 31 August 2023 are stuck in some kind of no man’s land, and still have to wait till we’re 70.

Surely it would have been fairer to reduce the age first to 69, then to 68, and so on?

I’m irritated by the TV ad as well, Whiff, though I don’t have as long to wait as you do!

The vaccination is a one-off and the restrictions on the age at which you can have a jab are due to the cost and limited availability.

I think we have to be 70 here,too unless you pay for it privately. How long does the vaccination last, does anyone know? Hope it isn't like the Covid ones wearing off in time!

I only had one jab grannyqueenie

I was 65 in April but have been told I must wait until I am 70 by my GP surgery. As I had to be 65 after the 1st September this year to get it .

I am sick of that TV advert which says 65 year olds can get NHS shingles jab. It doesn't say it only applies to certain 65 year olds.

I already suffer from nerve pain and thought I would beable to get it as Shingles causes a rash and nerve pain.

I can't afford to have it done privately.

Seems ridiculous folk now having to wait - if it is now fine for 65yr olds then all currently over 65 should be offered it. I had mine at 70 but it was only a single dose.

Madness isn't it.
I am 69 so only one year to wait, so I am luckier than some.

The very thing that I was beefing about a few days ago. A couple of friends are recovering from doses of shingles so I thought I’d ask at the GPs’ about the jab. Such is the confusion over who is eligible, the receptionist disappeared for 10 mins to find out. I must wait until I’m 70.

shingrix

2 doses? I’m sure I only had one!

It does seem odd that my sister who is 65 can get it, but I can't have it at 68, I have to wait until I'm 70

I paid privately for mine as the goalposts kept changing!

I can get mine when I am 70, people whose next birthday is 65 can get it when they turn 65 and people whose next birthday is 70 can get it when they are 70