Shingles vaccine

[Dromide]

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.

[Oscar21]

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.

[Dromide in reply to Oscar21]

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.

[Oscar21 in reply to Dromide]

Speak to the nurses in Hepatology. I’m sure they will advise you.

[Dromide in reply to Oscar21]

I will do that. I was just wondering if anyone else had come across this issue, and was able to share their thoughts.

[Roy1955 in reply to Dromide]

More like we unvaccinated are the experimental "control" group being used as guinie pigs to see if vaccination works!

[NicharrisonMarch2022 in reply to Roy1955]

hi Roy, what does this mean please?

Genuinely interested and not a dig in anyway.

[Roy1955 in reply to NicharrisonMarch2022]

I can't see any other reason to exclude a population age group of a 5 year span other than to compare the outcome of the unvaccinated group to the vaccinated group.Those turning 65 can have it, over 70 can have it.

65 to 70 already and your in the experiment.

[Dromide in reply to Roy1955]

The vaccination does work. The evidence is very clear. That is why I want it. There is no point in trying to compare one five year cohort with everyone else. That would be ideotic. It’s a money thing.

[Doddiedog]

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

[Dromide in reply to Doddiedog]

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.

[Scrags64]

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.

[Dromide in reply to Scrags64]

Thank you. That’s what I thought, but I wanted a bit of confirmation before I started asking about it more assertively.

[exy21]

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.

[Dromide in reply to exy21]

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.

[exy21 in reply to Dromide]

Be aware my doctor had no idea that I was eligible. It was my asking and her writing a letter to health board who then issued me with an appointment. Specialist was hopeless, normally very good

[Mufan99]

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.

[Dromide in reply to Mufan99]

Yes, thank you. It’s very useful.

[100858]

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.

[Dromide in reply to 100858]

Thanks

[ProteinPower]

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.

[Dromide in reply to ProteinPower]

thank you for replying. It’s appreciated

[joni_56]

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.

[Dromide in reply to joni_56]

Thank you. This age group thing is a real anomaly.

[Dromide in reply to joni_56]

Thanks for the reply, it is very helpful

[Maddog2024]

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.

[Dromide in reply to Maddog2024]

It’s an odd age group thing. Between 65 and 70 years old, you are not eligible for the vaccine. Under 65 OK, over 70 OK.

[Jaguarfpace1]

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.

[Dromide in reply to Jaguarfpace1]

I think that if you have had a transplant that it is very clear. I’m in an unclear position, being in an age group which is ineligible, but with an arguably eligible condition, namely cirrhosis

[cruiseladies]

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 !!!!!!!!!!!

[Dromide in reply to cruiseladies]

It’s an annoying anomaly, to be sure.

[Robert1220]

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.....

[Holc1op]

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.

[Fides]

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.