Is shingrix with live bacteria safe?

[CCgroup]

I'm not sure, but believe shingrix comes in both live and dead virus versions. If so, is one better than the other for less side effects and long term results?

I've been on ibrutinib 420mg/day for almost 3 years, have deletion P17, and my blood tests are very close to normal. I have been approved for the vaccine shot.

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi CCgroup, -

There was an older single shot that was live for Shingles, it was called Zostavax, it is no longer available in the USA.

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The only available vaccine in the USA is called Shingrix and it is not live and a 2 shot sequence.

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Here is the official statement from the CDC: cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingl...

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Len

[CCgroup in reply to lankisterguy]

Many thanks for the quick response. That removes any concerns I had.

[annmcgowan]

Hi we are not allowed to take live vaccines with CLL. In the U.K. we have a live shingles vaccine for all over 70 years of age, which we can’t take. The government have just approved Shingrix a none live vaccine for us recently.Ann

[CCgroup in reply to annmcgowan]

Many thanks, Ann. I'll make sure I'm getting the one that is not live. Your reply is very welcome.Cheers - Dan

[Annie1920 in reply to CCgroup]

My notes have a warning star. 'no live vaccine'

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Coincidentally I just received this text from my local CVS ( USA ) pharmacy -

CVS Pharmacy:

Hi Len, Shingles vaccines may benefit ages 50 and older.

Watch a short video: i.cvs.com/xbb4qyzR

Reply IMZ to make an appointment

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cvs.com/rx-campaign-pt-unau...

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Len

[CCgroup in reply to lankisterguy]

Hi Len:

Many thanks for taking the time to answer me. Unfortunately I could not access the website, it is not available outside of the US and I live in Costa Rica.

I'd appreciate it very much if you could give me the highlights, or just the conclusions. I definitely qualify for age, now 80, although everything seems to be in working order.

Thanks very much again.

Dan

[lankisterguy Volunteer in reply to CCgroup]

The CVS website just makes it easy to arrange an appointment for a Shingrix vaccination at a nearby pharmacy. I realized it would not work in Costa Rica, I just wanted to demostrate how easy it has become to get that vaccine and many others, almost as easy as buying a bottle of aspirin, and certainly cheaper.Len

[jacjar1 in reply to lankisterguy]

in USA the CVS pharmacies in California charge $200.00 for Shingrix. I found out if you use the Minute clinic that's in many CVS pharmacies, for me at least with my insurance, there is no charge. Its a bit weird as the pharmacy is 3 feet from the clinic. The pharmacy has all my other medical information on hand, and fills my prescriptions through prescription insurance but wont take my medical insurance for the Shingrix and Prevnor vaccines. I understand why but a few people i know paid the $200 without realizing it could be much less if they walked over a few feet and made an appointment.

[lankisterguy Volunteer in reply to jacjar1]

I'm guessing that this might be a Medicare part B vs part D thing. Part B covers drugs administered by a medical professional (usually doctors & nurses in a hospital or clinic) following rules set by the US Govt agency

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and Part D is insurance by a commercial company that sets most of its own rules. That covers drugs and treatments taken by the patient without a medical professional involved.

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Whether the insurance company considers an injection by a pharmacist as Part D or Part B, I don't know.

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Len

[jacjar1 in reply to lankisterguy]

i have private insurance it appears ,my insurance company now wants these vaccines to be administered via clinic or doctor in order to pay for them.......At least i didnt pay out of pocket.

[CCgroup in reply to jacjar1]

Hi Len. It was quick here in Costa Rica. The medical system had me do lab tests for a couple of things and i was immediately approved for it.Cheers - Dan

[J1015]

Shingrix is not a live vaccine. That’s the beauty of it. But if you get it, don’t be surprised if you feel rotten for about 12-24 hours. Both Shingrix shots ( it’s a series of two) caused worse side effects for me than my three COVID vaccinations. But it was very short-lived and far better than having Shingles.

[ViPOR]

I had the LIVE shingles vaccine,Zostravax, two years BEFORE I was even diagnosed with NHL. I remember my oncologist telling me when I was diagnosed with NHL- “No more Live vaccines for you now EVER”. I got shingles right after my CAR T in 2016 and it was not pretty. I did just recently have the DEAD Shingrix vaccine first shot. Just a very sore arm for that. My oncologist recommended it. The second Shingrix shot is due anywhere from 2 to 6 months later. I also take Valtrex, one 500 mg pill daily to try to prevent viral infections such as shingles in the future.

[CCgroup in reply to ViPOR]

Many thanks. I'll definitely go for the shots, side effects of not. Preferable to the shingles.Dan