Shingrex

[Vindicatrix]

Hi All, to continue my 'Shingrex' saga, My Haematologist arranged for me to have the 'Shingrex' vaccine and I was supposed to have it at the same time as other vaccines. I declined as I did not want more than two vaccines at the same time.

I was told that another appointment would be arranged. This afternoon I received a call from the National Vaccine Centre, and told that as I had a Shingles jab in 2017, their policy was that I did not need another.

I told her of my Haematologists intervention, and she said she would contact her and make her aware of the UK policy.

My understanding is that in some other countries the policy is different, and CLL'r are given 'Shingrex' in two jabs at different times. Notwithstanding that they may have had a Shingles vaccination some years earlier. I am also led to believe that there is some value in having a second Shingrex. Am I right in that assumption?.

Any info would be appreciated.

Regards to all. Ron

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

Ron, I'm sorry to read that you've been caught up in bureaucracy. I would have hoped that written approval from your CLL consultant would have helped you get some extra protection, because the 'Green Book', the reference document for UK vaccinations, recognises that protection from the older, single dose Zostavax vaccination wanes over time.

The relevant section of the updated Green Book version of 26th July 2023 assets.publishing.service.g... states in the section "History and epidemiology of the disease" (with my emphasis)

"A national shingles immunisation programme was introduced into the routine schedule for adults aged 70 years with a phased catch up programme for 71-79 years commencing in September 2013. At the time, the programme vaccinated eligible individuals using a single dose of Zostavax®, a live, attenuated virus derived from the Oka/Merck strain of varicella zoster virus, but at a significantly higher dose than the Varivax® varicella vaccine.

:

In the first real world assessment of vaccine effectiveness of the UK vaccine programme, effectiveness waned from 69% (95% CI 65-74%) in the first year after vaccination to 45% (95% CI 29-57%) by the third year. (Walker et al 2018)."

It seems your request for vaccination was refused based on this section of the Green Book;

"Reinforcing immunisation

The need for booster doses following either 2 doses of Shingrix® or a single dose of

Zostavax® has not yet been determined."

I don't know when you had your Zostavax shot, but from study reports, we know that those with CLL get less protection than healthy folk, so your immunity from that shot will likely be less than what's stated above.

Hopefully someone from the UK can suggest a way through this for you and others in this situation. Thanks for your update, disappointing though it may be.

Neil

[Vindicatrix in reply to AussieNeil]

Thanks Neil, I have always thought that 'Money' is at the heart of many of these decisions.

Either way, I will get it privately if I need to.

Thanks again Ron

[Pekingese]

Ron I had my shinrex vaccine when I was 68. I’m in the UK my Hematologist wrote to my GP.

[Zeus52]

I just had my Shingrix jab yesterday and the nurse told me to come back for a second jab in no sooner than 8 weeks and no later than 6 months time.

[wmay13241]

Same in the US - 2 Shingrex jabs 8 weeks apart.

[Floxxy]

I have CLL. I'm on V and R as a second line treatment. My Haematologist recommended that I have the Shingrix vaccine. I had the first one last week and I have a second one in 2 months. Other than a very sore arm for about 6 days I had no other side effects.