Shingles Vaccine

[ml71]

Shingles vaccine

I am almost 16 years out with BP. Was wondering if any older BP sufferers got the shingles vaccination. If so, did it cause a flare up of BP or other side effects? I am very hesitant about it because it is the same virus as BP.

Thank you.

[lorraine-t]

Hello.

There is a condition called Ramsay Hunt Syndrome that is caused by the shingles virus but this is not the same as Bell's palsy.

Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. If you had chickenpox as a child, the virus can stay in your body and be reactivated in later life.

Public Health England say:

"The side effects of vaccination are usually quite

mild and don’t last very long.

The most common side effects,

which occur in at least one in every ten people, are headache, and redness, pain, swelling, itching, warmth, and bruising at the site of the injection."

See their leaflet which gives full details about the shingles vaccine here:

assets.publishing.service.g...

[ml71 in reply to lorraine-t]

Thank you for your response. Herpes zoster is related to shingles and chicken pox as well as Bell’s palsy. I believe I had Bell’s palsy not Ramsey hunt. Still very nervous to try the vaccine. My husband has had both Zostivax shots and was pretty ill for a few days. I keep Valtrex in the house in case of flare up. Trying to research this but haven’t met anyone who has had BP that has had the shot. If you encounter anyone please let me know.

Thank you.

[lorraine-t in reply to ml71]

I can understand why you are nervous but Bell's palsy is described as idiopathic which means that there is not a known cause.

I suggest that you talk to your GP or practice nurse about your concerns, and then make a decision.

[Vane91]

I got BP in March of 2018. I got shingles on the opposite side December 2019. I wasn’t allowed to get get the shot. Apparently you need to be like over 60.

[ml71 in reply to Vane91]

Thank you. I am over 60 but still paranoid to get the shot. My GP does not really know either. Good luck in your recovery.