Shingles and pneumococcal vaccines side effects

Seabear I'm 71 have never had shingles or pneumonia. I had the shingles vaccinations within the last 2 years and, I may have been lucky, but my only discomfort was a moderately sore injection site. Enough to wake me up if I turned over in my sleep but not enough to have kept me awake. This is for the first shingles jag and the second I had no discomfort at all. The pneumonia I had no reaction whatsoever. I guess I was lucky.

The Shringrix jab is known to cause side effects in high proportion of individuals: myself included.

The US Centre for Disease Control estimates that 28% of people having the first jab do not return for the second.

Esmay Atta girl! I take anything on offer too, although I did have to pay for my Covid jab last year but was miserably ill over Christmas & NY, I think it was that flu thingy though. Horrid, I felt like I had a 12” carving knife wiggling around in my head with a temp of 39 and all the other ghastly symptoms. 🤮🤗

Just been at a charity event with Meningitis Now. The director did a talk afterwards in which she mentioned that the pneumonia vaccine confers some protection against pneumococcal meningitis in the over 65s. I believe the shingles vaccine does too possibly a different strain? Definitely worth having.

I had shingles in my chest some years ago. They (and I) thought it was a coronary. The pain was intense, days before the rash came along. As soon as I was offered the shingles vaccination I jumped at the chance. First one did wipe me out for a day, second round was a breeze and I didn’t have any problems other than a sore arm. I had the pneumonia one years ago, and was ill for a day. I’m insulin dependent diabetic, and have other auto immune diseases, so I’ll take ANY vaccine going rather than get the infection!

I have RA so immunity suppressed
Had both jabs and was absolutely fine afterwards.

Hope all goes well for you.

"polly123" you could well have had cpox as a young child very mildly.
Are you at the age to be offered the jabs? You could put the question to your GP surgery.

I don't think that I have had chickenpox despite my children having had it mildly and working in a school for years. I am a little unsure about having a shingles vaccine when I have never had chickenpox. I assume I must be immune but not sure. Perhaps someone on here might know more about potential effects of a vaccine in this situation.

Jabs of course as it is now Shingrix and in 2 jabs.

Yes believe me a painful arm or feeling a bit off is nothing compared with shingles.
And of course you don't "catch" shingles, it develops if you have had chicken pox at an earlier time and are under the weather or your immune system is compromised for whatever reason, so its not something you can avoid ".catching".

The pain made me cry... and I don't cry easily. The rash was across one buttock and at the base of my spine so going to the loo was a nightmare I dont ever want to repeat.
So anyone offered the jab, do have it.

I’m 69 and unfortunately in our stupid NHS system not allowed it till after 70. Considering paying for it as I watched my poor sister have it back in 2019 when she was immunocompromised from having blood cancer. She was in agony as it was in her eye and over the side of her head. Unfortunately it’s difficult to find a pharmacy close to me who will do it.

CV2020

I had terrible side effects with the first Shingles vaccination. I did not want second vaccination. I discussed these side effects with my GP who said as I’d previously had Chickenpox as a child and Shingles at 51 and first vaccination that I should have adequate protection. I’m immunocompromised. I didn’t have second vaccination.

My DH was ill for nearly 5 days after first jab, he had the chills, high fever, couldn’t eat because he felt ill and couldn’t get out of bed. He really didn’t want the second jab but went ahead anyway and felt just as bad. Thankfully it seems most people don’t feel this ill.

I have had the 1st shingles jab & it knocked me for six for a week. I am dreading the 2nd one, but it will be better than the actual infection.

I’ve had both. The pneumonia vaccine gave me a sore, achy arm for a few days, but it wore off.

I had more reaction to the shingles vaccination (given in 2 doses, 6 months apart). The first dose was worse in terms of side effects with a swollen arm to the elbow for about 36 hours, plus nausea and chills. The second dose, my arm was sore but not swollen for a day and I experienced nausea and chills overnight, but it soon wore off. I took paracetamol to help.
I consider those side effects preferable to the alternative.

However, I don’t know if things would have been worse if I was immuno-suppressed. Perhaps have a word with the doctor/nurse at your GP practice if you are concerned, and then go by their advice.

I had both a few weeks ago. One in each arm. The shingles one hurt the most and ached for a few days. I had shingles about 4 years ago. It was weird because it was only in one spot about 2" across on one arm. It was so painful and left scars. I feel for people who get it on their body. I have Pernacious Anemia as well as a few other health issues and didn't have any issues. If offered the shingles jab I would go for it.

Yes, I’ve had the vaccine and must admit to feeling quite under the weather for a few days.

I react badly to all vaccines...I have ME amongst other issues. The pneumonia one was absolutely fine. Haven't dared to do the shingles yet.

Nothing at all I ve luckily never had any problem from any vaccinations
As I had these at 70 well over ten years plus, ago they must have worn out by now but I don’t think you get another crack do you ?

I had the shingles vaccine several years ago but still got shingles! Hopefully the new vaccine is more efficient

I had the shingles vaccination after nursing an aunt through her bout of shingles. It was the worst illness she ever had, and the pain bothered her for the rest of her life. So definitely have the vaccine if you possibly can, even if you’re unlucky enough to catch shingles, it will be much milder

I have every vaccination offered, looking forward to my RSV in 2 years

I wd highly recommend the shingles jab as I got shingles itself few years before and it was so painful and also left me with a mouth condition that there is no cure for.

I had shingles twice before I was old enough to have the shingles vaccine. Believe you me the injections are far better than the disease.

I’ve had the shingles and pneumonia jabs and chicken pox but I still recently got shingles! Awfully painful and would not like to have a recurrence. Doctor said you can still get shingles after the jab but it’s supposed to be not so bad. BTW no after effects to both vaccinations.

I am now 67 and was invited for these when I was 65.

I don't remember any side-effects beyond the usual slightly sore arm for a couple of days.

I had a single pneumococcal shot and the shingles one in 2 stages.

Although I loathe having injections, on balance I'd much prefer to feel slightly under the weather for a few hours, rather than be unvaccinated and face the full effects of whatever the illness was.

It is why I pay for private Covid jabs...my oh qualifies because he is immunocompromised, having leukaemia.