Should I have a 'shingles' jab ?

[roubaixtuesday]

Re: Getting the Vaccination
I'd add "yes". I had shingles a couple of years ago and really not nice.

NHS are using a really weird way to decide who gets it. Available once you hit age 65 but I'm 68 and don't qualify as the 65 only applies if you reached age 65 on or after 1 September 2023 - so if older that 65 on 1 September 2023 you don't qualify until you reach age 70. But get to 80 and you'll no longer qualify.

And expensive to get it privately.

Ian

There's a JCVI statement here.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...-shingles-herpes-zoster-vaccination-programme

It seems there is a new vaccine available, and advice seems a bit different to what you've written, though it's a bit complicated to wade through, so I could be wrong.

 

[Psamathe]

There's a JCVI statement here.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...-shingles-herpes-zoster-vaccination-programme

It seems there is a new vaccine available, and advice seems a bit different to what you've written, though it's a bit complicated to wade through, so I could be wrong.

I took my understanding from NHS website.

Shingles vaccine​

A shingles vaccine is available on the NHS for:

• people who turned 65 on or after 1 September 2023
• people aged 70 to 79 who have not yet been vaccinated
• people aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system

(from near bottom of page https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shingles/)

Ian

 

[Psamathe]

Shingrix is the one to get.
There are 2 shingles vaccines used in the UK: Zostavax, a live vaccine given as 1 dose. Shingrix, a non-live vaccine given as 2 doses, 2 months apart.

(Worth the 2nd jab.)

According to NHS website the NHS are only offering the Shingrix vaccination

Shingles vaccine ingredients​

There is 1 type of shingles vaccine given in the UK. You can check the ingredients in the patient leaflet:

• Shingrix vaccine patient leaflet (Electronic Medicines Compendium website; PDF only, 136kb)

(from https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/shingles-vaccine/)

Ian

 

[Profpointy]

I've just heard that a pal has shingles which has manifested in an inner ear problem and a facial palsy and he's having a miserable time of it, and if that wasn't bad enough there's a risk of it turning into some form of encephalitis which would presumably be an extremely serious condition. Anyhow he's wimped out the pub crawl we'd planned so must be quite bad

I only got chickenpox for the first time a few years back in my late 50s, but apart from a load of spots, and not particularly itchy ones, I barely felt ill at all, though obviously couldn't go into the office, so I was quite lucky as it can be a lot worse for us older chaps I gather

The conclusion of all this is hell yes, get all the jabs you're offered

 

[Psamathe]

I only got chickenpox for the first time a few years back in my late 50s

Reminds me of when I was young when it was normal that you'd try to catch things like Measles, Mumps, German Measles, etc. or at least your parents would try and see you caught them. I remember parents phoning round when their child had one and we'd all get sent round to play with the infected child ... at least if we hadn't already ticked that disease box.

These days that would probably result in parents getting a visit from Welfare or Social Services but then with the vaccine availability maybe it's less of an issue.

Ian

 

[BrumJim]

Reminds me of when I was young when it was normal that you'd try to catch things like Measles, Mumps, German Measles, etc. or at least your parents would try and see you caught them. I remember parents phoning round when their child had one and we'd all get sent round to play with the infected child ... at least if we hadn't already ticked that disease box.

These days that would probably result in parents getting a visit from Welfare or Social Services but then with the vaccine availability maybe it's less of an issue.

Ian

Chickenpox parties are still almost a thing amongst parents.

Measles is dangerous, and so best avoided at all costs. Best way of doing this is vaccination, which takes care of Mumps and German Measles too.

 

[Tenkaykev]

According to NHS website the NHS are only offering the Shingrix vaccination

Ian

Yes, I have a dodgy immune system and can't have the " live " vaccine. When I was offered the jab last year I made an enquiry and was told that Shingrix is all they use now.

 

[PaulSB]

I had chicken pox as an adult about 40 years ago. It was horrific. The only relief I could get from the itching was to lay in a cold bath. After several days without sleep I was in a terrible state. In the middle of the night I drove to Blackburn A&E and begged for something to help.

I was given a sleeping tablet of some sort and told not to take it till I got home. After taking the tablet I slept for 36 hours, woke up and the pox was gone.

I've had one shingles jab, my second is due in January.