Thanks. Bristol Medical Trials

The evidence of the Welsh study that the live herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine might protect against dementia was interesting but it was using the live vaccine, which is now discontinued in many countries in favor of a recombinant vaccine.

There was a new study last year which showed that the recombinant vaccine is also:

associated with a significantly lower risk of dementia in the 6 years post-vaccination. Specifically, receiving the recombinant vaccine is associated with a 17% increase in diagnosis-free time, translating into 164 additional days lived without a diagnosis of dementia in those subsequently affected.

Here's the report if anyone is interested:

www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03201-5.pdf

Thank you Lahlah65, I too read the findings of the Welsh study between the shingles vaccine and dementia. Correlation not causation, but worthy of further investigation.
I'm over 80 so no longer eligible for the new shingles vaccine on the NHS, but can understand the funding constraints of the JCVI. I just wish they didn't abandon over 80s without giving guidelines as to how to access the vaccine in reputable outlets. It's now £460 at Boots which is reputable but I'd rather pay privately at my GP practice.

I’ve had my first, second to come in about 6 months and I'm 65. Not eligible for covid jab though

Lahlah 65 thank you for the sympathy - shingles IS horrible!

Thank you Greciangirl, and good luck - let us know what they say.

cc

I'd also like a cheaper Covid jab but at 73 am deemed too young this year.

Age is not the only qualification

www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/

You may be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine if you have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment.

This can include if you:

have or had blood cancer, such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma
have had an organ transplant, bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant
have HIV
have a genetic disorder that affects your immune system, such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
are having or recently had chemotherapy, biological therapy or radiotherapy
are taking steroid medicine (depending on the dose)
are having long-term immunosuppressive treatment for a condition such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), scleroderma or psoriasis

www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/2985389-shingles-vaccine-may-help-prevent-and-slow-dementia,-study-finds

So sorry to hear that Stoic. I had shingles quite badly but only on my body - it really is awful to have it on your head and face. I have also been involved in a clinical trial involving treatment for shingles, but a different one.

Usedtobeblonde

I had the shingles jab ages ago ,probably when I was 79 so 9 years ago but I only had one injection not two.
Was that the norm then?
So pleased you got yours Welbeck and good on you for being part of the trial.

Yes - much more effective vaccine given now (Shingrex) but requires two doses.
There was a really good report yesterday about some research that been done in Wales. Apparently in 2013, they rolled out shingles vaccine in Wales without much of a fanfare. There was a very strict cut-off date and if you were born before that date you couldn’t have it. But they’ve been doing follow studies with people either side of the date. The study has a good number of people who had the vaccine and people who didn’t.

They have found a significant reduction in the number of people dying from dementia in the group that have had the vaccine. The researchers were careful to point out that they’re not able to say definitely that the reduction is directly due to the vaccine, but it’s sufficiently interesting for more work to be done.

Yes, I am having my second shingles jab in about four weeks time. I thought you just he a one but that apparently is not the case now.

The first NHS advert was very misleading about who could have it.
Criteria and ages cock up.

It only took them about 3 years to notice it correct to he error and make a new ad!

As I have posted before I had shingles. Had the vaccination and had shingles again. The second time was worse than the first time due to location but no rash.So even when vaccinated you can still succumb to the problem.

Very sorry to hear your health worries Stoic.
I’m also 80 years old and had the vaccine more than ten years ago.

I shall ask my surgery if that is true.
It also seems very unfair and ageist. Disgraceful.

I did have a very mild dose of it when I was 70. Had a jab then.
I just hope it doesn’t attack me again.

@OldFrill, DH and my oldest cousin were 65 in July 2023 so missed the cut-off date by a matter of weeks and will have to wait until they are seventy.

Please be aware that if you had the shingles vaccine more than 10 years ago and you are now over 80 (as I am) you will not be offered a new shingles vaccine, inspite of the old, single type being effective for only 7 to 10 years. According to the NHS it is not cost effective to give a repeat to old people! I have just had a vicious attack of shingles and am left with permanent facial nerve pain, scarring, and intermittent deafness. This is another example of NHS ageist policies (breast, cervical, bowel screening, RSV vaccinations - all stopped by the time you are 80). I must have cost the NHS far more (with all the hospital and GP visits, and medication) than one little jab would have cost and I am left with unnecessary and ongoing health issues. Ask your GP for a repeat. Privately it will cost £500..

I live in Luxembourg and anyone over 65 gets the shingles vaccination (2) for free.

I'd also like a cheaper Covid jab but at 73 am deemed too young this year.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

2 is the norm now uttb
6 months apart, given after the age of 70 NHS England anyway.
I had my two jabs earlier this year.

Well done to you welbeck taking part. ✔️

If you turned 65 on or after September 1, 2023, you are eligible now (and remain so until your 80th birthday).
If you turned 65 before September 1, 2023, you are not eligible at age 68 and will have to wait until you turn 70 to receive the free vaccine

NHS website

I mean until that confirmation I couldn't be sure that I had not received the shingles jab at all.
I might have received only the covid and or flu jabs.
Both of which I can easily get elsewhere.
Although I see this year the Covid is restricted on NHS.
?anyone know where it can be got for under 80 pound?

Well I wish I knew who posted it.
As because of them I feel a bit more protected health wise.
I only got the email today from the trial as it has now been unblinded.
Confirmed that I'd had the shingles jab as well as flu. And a few placebos.

2 is the norm now uttb
6 months apart, given after the age of 70 NHS England anyway.
I had my two jabs earlier this year.

Well done to you welbeck taking part. ✔️

I had the shingles jab ages ago ,probably when I was 79 so 9 years ago but I only had one injection not two.
Was that the norm then?
So pleased you got yours Welbeck and good on you for being part of the trial.

And thanks Wellbeck for taking part.