Flu jab

The shingles vaccine is worth getting even if you have already had shingles/herpes.

I have had every jab known to man. I am so lucky because close to where I live, the local pharmacy advertises what is available and when. It is also a walk-in service. It is probably money-making on their part, but I don't care because it works.

Kate1949

*BlueBelle*. I had my shingles jabs last year. We now need two. My husband had his years ago and I asked the nurse if he should have another. She said it wasn't necessary.

In the last few years the NHS changed the type of shingles vaccine it offers.

Your husband probably received the old one, Zostavax, which was a single dose. (so did DH and I). It's now withdrawn.

The current NHS vaccine used is Shingrix, requires two doses. The protection provided is higher than Zostavax.

Yes but not had either as I have not been offered it

I didn't know about the pneumococcal and shingles until my younger brother told me that he and his wife had had them. I had them after that.
The shingles vaccination and age criteria have changed since then.

Having had shingles, I was very keen to have the shingles jab. I’ve had 2 now, a bit painful after each for a couple of days, but worth it to not get shingles again.

I had shingles jab a few years ago but only had one jab, nothing was ever said about having a second one.

The pneumococcal vaccine is very good to have, but it does not protect against all sepsis. I thought I knew the signs, but lost my DH very recently to sepsis. Known as the silent killer for good reason.

Ì have had the flu jab for decades as I am asthmatic. I had the pneumonia vaccine around fifteen years ago, too. My husband had a different flu jab from mine because he is over 65 and I am under. The eligible age for the shingles vaccine was reduced from seventy to 65 two years ago - for those born on or after September 1st 1958. My husband was born in July of that year. At this rate, I could well have it before he does.

knspol. It's only this new vaccine that requires two.

Over 80s not eligible for RSV jabs, apparently because not enough of that age group volunteered for trials. DH not happy, understands though. Hope he doesn't catch it, or however it spreads.

Ive not had any vaccines since I was at school

From a vaguely neutral position I have become a bit of a vaxxaholic after being lambasted by a virulent anti vaxxer up the road for wearing a mask during covid.
Those who can't get shingles or RSV jabs
Could you afford to pay to have them?
I think it's money well spent.
Perhaps start an Xmas fund? Like GoFundMe to be vaxxed ...

I’m not sure the pneumonia jab DOES last for life. For medical reasons I was given it when I was in my mid thirties and my continual chest infections became a thing of the past. Last year, now in my 70s, I had two bouts of pneumonia, so I was given a 2nd jab. I recently paid £95 to have the Covid vax as I’m not yet 75.

When the owner of a boarding Cattery, I had a top up tetanus jab. I wasn’t very young so imagine that it will last me out.

My GP rang me to say "Good news! You're 70 and you can have the shingles jab" I knew what he meant, but I wasn't sure about any sort of injection being "good news"

Thanks Kate yes I only had one shingles jab 10 years ago I remember clearly as I had the pneumonia in one arm and shingles in the other
So they both last for ever then that’s good news

Gosh. A GP who phoned you!
Well the new Shingles jab is a two parter. I'll cope. Well worth it to avoid shingles.

I had the pneumonia jab. Two months later I got ill with pneumonia. It was mycoplasma pneumonia so the vax did not help. There are so many mutations and variants

We had the shingles and pneumonia vaccinations soon after turning 70, we are 82 now. We haven’t been offered the RSV vaccination but if I am offered it I will not take it as there is a danger of Gullain Barre Syndrome which I have had twice and would not want to run the risk of getting it again as it is not pleasant.

butterandjam

Kate1949

BlueBelle. I had my shingles jabs last year. We now need two. My husband had his years ago and I asked the nurse if he should have another. She said it wasn't necessary.

In the last few years the NHS changed the type of shingles vaccine it offers.

Your husband probably received the old one, Zostavax, which was a single dose. (so did DH and I). It's now withdrawn.

The current NHS vaccine used is Shingrix, requires two doses. The protection provided is higher than Zostavax.

Thanks for that info. I have had the old shingles vaccine but am going to ask for the new one which sounds much more effective.

I had read several articles about how much more effective the newer Shingrix vaccine is compared with the older, one dose one, so I enquired about having it done at our surgery.

As most people probably know, we have to be within certain age groups be eligible for it on the NHS. It turned out I wasn’t so I paid to have the two Shingrix jabs at a pharmacy.

Shingles, as anyone who has had it knows, is such a horrible thing, that to me, the vaccines were worth every penny.

Sounds like it’s another thing I’m going to have to pay for. I don’t understand why the shingles vaccine is staggered given how debilitating shingles is. I know I’m a bit paranoid about it but my mum died soon after having shingles ( she was only 69 and at the time I had no idea how ill shingles made you) and a dear friend of mine developed Alzheimer’s after suffering from a particularly bad bout of shingles and I’ve always felt there was a link. Imo it’s a false economy not vaccinating everybody.

JenniferEccles

I had read several articles about how much more effective the newer Shingrix vaccine is compared with the older, one dose one, so I enquired about having it done at our surgery.

As most people probably know, we have to be within certain age groups be eligible for it on the NHS. It turned out I wasn’t so I paid to have the two Shingrix jabs at a pharmacy.

Shingles, as anyone who has had it knows, is such a horrible thing, that to me, the vaccines were worth every penny.

I had the 2 Shingrix vaccines for Shingles .... and 6 weeks after the last jab, I developed Shingles in my mouth and Trigeminal Nerve on one side of my face. It has left me with Tinnitus and hearing loss in one ear.

Oh my goodness Sparklefizz that’s really bad luck. How awful for you.
You did everything you could to avoid the misery of shingles only to get it after you should have been protected by the vaccine.

Isn’t there an anti-viral medication which it’s said can lessen the effects of shingles? I believe though that it has to be administered within a couple of days of the first symptoms.

I hope you make a good recovery.