Hi, I’m 67 and was diagnosed with cirrhosis approximately two years ago, following a bleed from oesophageal varices. I’m now reasonably well, recompensed, albeit tired and with poor exercise tolerance. I’m in the in between group for routine eligibility for the shingles jab, being over 65 and under 70. I’ve asked my GP and have been told that I am not eligible despite my diagnosis. I had a look at the criteria, and think that they are ambivalent. Has anyone here in my age group been given the shingles vaccine owing to vulnerability due to cirrhosis? Thanks.
Shingles vaccine : Hi, I’m 67 and was... - British Liver Trust
Shingles vaccine
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I’m only 60 and have had the Shingles vaccination this year. It was recommended by my liver nurses at the hospital. In my opinion, Gp s do not have the knowledge for all the medical items us cirrosis patients actually require.
There’s a strange anomaly in eligibility. If you’re 60-65 you get it, if you’re over 70 you get it, but not 65 to 70.It’s a resource (cost) thing.
Speak to the nurses in Hepatology. I’m sure they will advise you.
More like we unvaccinated are the experimental "control" group being used as guinie pigs to see if vaccination works!
hi Roy, what does this mean please?
Genuinely interested and not a dig in anyway.
Morning!
I'd have thought you'd be eligible for it. I've my appointment for the pneumococcal vaccine tomorrow. It's for over 65 only and I'm 42. I've got my t/p assessment starting 2nd September so maybe that's why.
Can I ask if you knew yourself that you had an esophageal bleed, and what were the symptoms? or if it was something the docs found? I've got an endoscopy next week to have a look for them and see if they need anytreatment, probably again due to the assessment.
Hope you get an appointment for the shingles vaccine sorted, I might ask about it too. In for a penny and all that!
Heather
Hi, I knew exactly what was wrong when I vomited about a litre of fresh blood. The 999 ambulances were not available, so I took myself to the hospital, and had a 10 hour wait to be assessed, and then another 8 hours to find me a bed. I did get my varices injected a few hours later, so that was good. In fact, my haemoglobin dropped from 15 to 9, about 6 units of blood.
You should be on the clinically extremely vulnerable list and as such you get shingles and covid jabs no matter what your age. Also get free covid testing kits. You may have to get your consultant to contact your doctors surgery as they told me I didn't fit into any of the boxes, despite there being a free-form box at the bottom for them to put their reasons.
I'm 52 and had to get the doctor to write so I could get it. I'm on azathioprine. I've also got post hepatic neuralgia from shingles 2 years ago.
Thanks, I’ll ask in October when I have my next appointment. I would write, but last time I did, it took longer than 2 months for a reply.
I completely agree with the replies above. On my partner's behalf I queried the situation with the Hepatology team at our hospital and the specialist nurse wrote to the GP and the vaccinations were arranged and noted on my partner's record, and on mine! I am (or was) below the age to qualify but as the sole carer at the time I was classed as equally vulnerable and also as a risk to my partner's health/wellbeing if I fell ill. Hope that is useful extra info.
I had my vacation for shingles earlier this year and I’m 65. They told me I was eligible for it at my Covid vaccine.
hi I’ve not had the jab but got shingles here in Australia a few months before getting my cirrhosis diagnosis and it was awful.I’m now not eligible for it.Maybe talk to another doctor or someone at the British Liver trust who may be to help you.
Yes I asked my transplant team on my last visit. They then wrote to my GP telling him they advise I should have vaccine and what one to have. Even though I am not eligible because I'm in the middle age allowed. Can you inform your consultant. I'm sure they will inform your GP.
Im 64 and I just had my fist of two shingles vaccine 1 month ago. I asked my liber specialist if it was ok to get the vaccine and she said of course it is.
Hi, I’m 68 and am 8 months post transplant. I have recently had the shingles jab. I’m eligible because I’m immuno suppressed. My cirrhosis started with a bleed the same as yours.
Hi I've asked for the last 10 months about having the Shingles vaccination at the GP's surgery after seeing the Liver nurse and her recommending it. They have told me I have to wait until my 70th birthday in December this year as they don't think NALD is a priority !!!!!!!!!!!
I am in the same position as you. I have compensated cirrhosis too. I'm 68 and have been told that I don't qualify for the shingles jab. What I don't understand is why! Everyone around our age stage will qualify. It just seems that a very narrow group are being denied it Sfrange.....
I was 65 in 2023 but born in February and so was not eligible last September. My husband was eligible as he was 65 last September. He is immunocompromised and so I asked about getting the vaccine. I was told the NHS has to roll out the vaccine by year of birth and by making exceptions there would be insufficient vaccine for those eligible. I therefore have to wait until I am 70.
I'm post transplant, liver consultant told me I qualify for Shingles vaccine, GP surgery told me I am not eligible. Am also in my 50s. Interesting I think I will ask consultant to contact GP surgery.