Is it safe for me if my wife has the live shingles vaccine?

[carnvellan]

I'm 72 and on W&W for 5 years. My wife is 71 and has low immunities and wants to have the live shingles vaccine available here in the UK. Her nurse says that Public Health England says she can have it and I'll be safe. If she gets a rash after the vaccination, which happens sometimes, she should cover it until it goes away and that will protect me.

Is this correct?

[Hazel33]

My husband was told not to have it (being a live vaccine) which could affect me (unless he wanted to leave home for a while). I would be very interested to hear what others have to say as I dread the thought of getting shingles Hazel UK

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

I believe that you have been informed correctly about shingles not being contagious unless you are exposed to fluid from the blisters.

Neil

[carnvellan in reply to AussieNeil]

This is a slightly different question Neil ie can I be affected by my wife's live vaccination?

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to carnvellan]

That's what I meant - only if your wife develops shingles with blisters and you come into contact with that fluid from your wife's blisters...

[AgedCrone in reply to carnvellan]

Please ask you doctor...a rule of Thumb , is that nobody with an immune compromised system should have any live vaccines ....however we are not doctors here ....we do not know your wife’s circumstances or your health condition ...so please ask a qualified clinician about third party reaction to live vaccinations..

[Senecio]

My wife had the live shingles vaccine while I was in the middle of FCR treatment. Everybody told me it was safe and to date (nearly a year later) I have still not had shingles! I think it is good that she is now protected against it. I'm hoping for Shingrix when it becomes available in the UK (hopefully not too long now).

John

[carnvellan in reply to Senecio]

Thank you

[PaulaS Volunteer]

Hi Carnvellan, As Senecio has said, the new non-live shingles vaccine (Shingrix) should be available soon. It is said to be much more effective against shingles than the present live vaccination, so your wife would get better protection if she could get that one.

Even if your wife does get the live vaccination, as others have said, you will be safe as long as you don't come into contact with any fluid from blisters that might result from her vaccination.

Paula

[carnvellan in reply to PaulaS]

Thanks Paula.

[Yuck]

In our family, the GP would not give the live vaccine to the spouse. I also think there remains a risk for CLL persons even after the Shingrix. Docs in the U.S. are keeping them on the appropriate medication to prevent shingles, Acyclovir, even after receiving the 2 Shingrix shots.

[Jonquiljo]

I would wait for Shingrix. Its far better than the (live) zostavax. I know lots of people who have had the zostavax vaccine and still gotten shingles. There’s a reason there is a worldwide wait for the new Shingrix- it works really well!