Vaccine Confusion

[Keggles36]

Hi all

Me again with ongoing shingles drama.

I am meant to be having my flu and COVID jabs tomorrow - and really want them as I've seen how ill you can get with these viruses in pregnancy due to lowered immune system.

However, I'm currently in the throes of active shingles with banging headaches and fever alongside the rash. My understanding was I should wait for the vaccines until I'm not battling something else as well, and the NHS info site agrees.

I've just called my surgery to try and reschedule for next week, and they've said it's fine to still have them because they're not live vaccines.

I just don't feel comfortable having them when feeling so ill, does anyone have any knowledge or advice?

[Tnthketnf]

HiI had the vaccines last week but didn't have anything at the same time.

It seems a very confusing and stressful situation. Personally I would ask to speak with a consultant obstetrician for information and advice.

I hope all goes well.

[Skittles11]

I felt ill when I was offered the whooping cough vaccine. I said I would rather wait until I felt better and they accepted that. If you are uncomfortable and would rather get better from what you currently have, then I think do that...you are still planning to have them just slightly later and best not to stress yourself - unless you are going to be in environments (crowds etc) where it may be more rife to pick up covid or flu x x

[Keggles36 in reply to Skittles11]

My husband is off to London for work this week so just a little concerned of him bringing something home, but otherwise this sounds like a plan. I might chat to the pharmacist tomorrow and get their opinion.

[JA-fnuk Partner]

As well as talking to your pharmacy might be an idea to speak to your midwife for reassurance and advice

Take care

Janet-Partner

[Keggles36 in reply to JA-fnuk]

Hi Janet, thanks. I am a midwife, but we don't really see Shingles that often so it's a bit confusing.

[Twiglet2]

I would follow the NHS advice you read online and your gut/what you are comfortable with here it’s only a week you are delaying. I would also not be keen on going into a doctors with the shingles in case you are still infectious to others etc. I hope you feel better soon 🤗 that must be awful xx

[Keggles36]

All the things I've learned about shingles - you can't give shingles to anyone else, but you can give people chickenpox if they haven't had it before when the blisters are oozing. Mine are now healed over so the surgery were happy for me to come in. Who knew 🤷🏼‍♀️

I spoke to a consultant obstetrician at the hospital I work at, a nurse, a GP and the pharmacist who all said it would be fine and were far more concerned that I be vaccinated as apparently flu and COVID strains this year aren't nice at all.

So I've had the jabs this morning, I'll keep you updated 🤞🤞