Shingrix and Shingles protection for CLLers

[nuji]

Got my first dose of Shingrix yesterday. All the discussions about people with CLL not developing antibodies got me thinking…

Will Shingrix be effective? How will we develop antibodies against Herpes virus if we can’t develop antibodies for COVID?

[cajunjeff]

Nuji, as we are all different with cll, no one can tell you what level of protection you will get from Shingrix, or any other vaccination for that matter.

Generally speaking, it is thought that those of us in early stage cll will respond to vaccines better than those in later stage. There is also some interesting data out of some cll/covid vaccine studies showing that those who have completed ll treatments are producing covid antibodies in response to vaccines better than those currently on treatment. This news is encouraging because it suggests that treatment might help restore some immunity for us.

Most cll doctors still encourage us to take vaccines appropriate for us because any benefit at all we might get may help lessen the seriousness of disease.

Its important to remember that the results of antibody tests are a very imperfect measure of vaccine efficacy. Zero measurable antibodies on a test does not necessarily equate to zero protection.

[nuji in reply to cajunjeff]

Thanx Jeff. Do you know if there is a test for Shingles antibody?

[cajunjeff in reply to nuji]

I suppose they can test for just about any antibodies, but I have not heard of anyone testing for shingle antibodies. I dont think our doctors would consider that information all that useful.

[Snellybob]

I Had my first of 2 Shingrix vaccine doses a couple of weeks ago. But main reason for posting is that its the first vaccine that I've had where I reacted pretty badly. 36hrs in bed with shivers shakes and a temperature. Reported to MHRA and Surgery.

Whether its effective or not its difficult to know, though for what its worth my S Spike antibodies from Covid 3rd dose were high, having waned to a very low level prior to the 3rd dose. So despite my CLL, some vaccines do have an effect on my immune system. Hoping this is true for Shingrix too.