Shingles vaccine

[MrGrey1234]

Hi just after some advice, I'm 55 I have Lupus, and on hydroxychloroquine , seen the advert on TV saying immunocompromised people will now be having shingles vaccine, ive not heard anything from my Gp TIA

[lesadiana]

Even after getting the shingles vaccine I still ended up getting shingles anyways. So it didn’t pay off for me. And I was 55 when I took the shot now I’m 56 and I’m even afraid to get the flu shot.

[Spanielmadlady in reply to lesadiana]

Vaccines don't stop you getting something they are designed to prime your immune system to reduce the illness

[MoominMomma]

Hi, I contacted my Dr’s surgery & at the time they hadn’t received any info but a lovely admin lady rang me a few days later & then I received a text saying that I was eligible for the vaccine. My advice would be to call your local surgery.

Hope this helps 🤗

[Teanau22]

Good Morning, I hadn't heard either, so spoke to my GP surgery and they booked me in straight away. Hope that helps.

[Kevin53]

You require Shingrix which is the non live version of the vaccine. Best wishes Kevin

[rosebud52]

I was contacted by my surgery a month. ago to make appt for shingles vaccination, l was given half a dosage and told I would be having the other half in a few weeks time as giving the full dosage all at once would be too strong for a person with sle lupus. I would get in touch with your surgery and make enquiries.

[Kevin53 in reply to rosebud52]

The non live vaccine is always applied in two doses, usually 8 weeks apart. Covid vaccines should be avoided until at least 4 weeks after the shingles treatment. Best wishes Kevin

[rosebud52 in reply to Kevin53]

Thank you Kevin and thank you for the information that's exactly how it was explained to me.

[Spanielmadlady]

My surgery hasn't received the non live vaccine yet so I'm still waiting.

[Whippet_lady]

I phoned the vaccination hub as all vaccinations have been taken away from doctors' surgeries in my area in Scotland and was told that they're only doing 70 -79 yr olds. When I explained he said that I would have to get a referral from my GP and then they would make a decision as to whether or not I could have it.

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Whippet_lady]

Same applies here in the south of Scotland. Even though Rheumy requested I got the vaccine before starting MTX injections over a month ago, I’m still waiting. Hubby had live vaccine last year but they are only doing the non-live Shingrix now which is given in 2 shots 6 months apart. But although I’m 68 and immunosuppressed and had Rheumy chase them up, there’s no word. I wish we could get our jabs at our GPs surgery because my GP is as frustrated by it as I am, and I bet yours is the same.

[Largather]

Hi, remember, nobody is forcing you to have it. No proof it helps and let's face it, just another chemical to agrivate an already weakened immune system from Lupus.I'd think very hard before having it. Too much of the unknown , shingles, flue, covid.... when did we ever need vaccines so readily available???

There are immune suppressed people becoming very ill now 2 years AFTER starting the covid vaccination and clinics investigating the post vaccine symptoms that are only just surfacing.

We should make our own decisions on what we put in our bodies, just use common sense and go with your gut.

[Debbie_kinsey Administrator LUPUS UK in reply to Largather]

Hi Largather

It's really understandable to be concerned about different medications and vaccines, and you are right that it is your choice whether you have the shingles vaccine or not. As you said there was "no proof it helps" I just wanted to mention that there is evidence that the shingles vaccine helps to reduce your chances of getting shingles, and that it can make the symptoms less severe if you still get shingles after having the vaccine. This evidence comes from studies measuring how effective the vaccine is in different groups, and from looking at how effective it's been in the real world (for example by seeing what the outcomes are for people who have already had the vaccine in the USA, including people with autoimmune conditions).

If you're ever interested in finding out what the evidence is for a particular vaccine, you can check the "Green Book". Each vaccine has a Green Book which is basically like the manual for the vaccine with the information about who is eligible, what evidence has been considered, what dose is needed for it to be effective, and so on. You can find the Green Book for the shingles vaccine here: assets.publishing.service.g...

I hope this is useful.

Take care,

Debbie

[Largather in reply to Debbie_kinsey]

Hi, thanks for replying but the Green Book doesn't prove anything , don't forget who edits the green book!. I am living proof, medically proven of covid vaccine damage and thats why I posted, to make people aware. There are now specialist clinics popping up around the country , especially in major Neuro hospitals ( one of which I attend) dealing with the problems the covid vaccine is now showing, even cases of ataxia. A great deal more will eventually come out regarding this in the future.

[Jaybz]

I am 58yo and on 10mg methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine (UK based). I'm going to India for three months and will be in remote, rural areas, so have been getting all my jabs. I'd also heard that there was a new 'non-live' shingles vaccine, but when I called my gp and rheumatologist, both refused to give it to me-- suggesting I don't fit the criteria of 'severely immuno-compromised'. Apparently I need to be on 20mg methotrexate or higher (or some other drug that dramatically dampens the immune system), and over 60 (I think). I'm really annoyed, as the advice was given by nurses (not doctors), and they could only tick boxes. I was particularly annoyed when the rheumy nurse told me that I had immunity to chicken pox, so therefore didn't need the vaccine, as shingles was 'in the same family' as shingles. My word...how ignorant! Anyway, I'm hoping shingles is the least of my concern when I'm in India!

[Guatmom]

I live in the USA, so my experience might be different. I was able to take Shingrix since it is not a live vaccine. It is a series of two shots given 2-3 months apart. It did not cause any flair, but I did feel lousy for a day or 2 after the second jab. I had a friend almost lose her vision because of shingles, so it was worth the risk to me.

[Debbie_kinsey Administrator LUPUS UK]

Hi MrGrey1234

We have some information about who is eligible for the shingles vaccine on our website here: lupusuk.org.uk/immunocompro...

Basically - not everyone with lupus is eligible and it depends on what medication you are taking (or have taken recently). It can be a bit confusing, so if you're not sure then speak to your doctor and they should be able to help.

Take care, Debbie

[Cathyan in reply to Debbie_kinsey]

Thanks, Debbie. Really helpful!

[soul22]

I enquired regarding shingles vaccine I'm 52 nope I'm UK you need to be 75.

Also hydrochlorquine isn't a immune suppression drug it's a discease modification drug that works at cellular level.

I've had shingles five times

[Jumper99 in reply to soul22]

It’s now 70 and over in the uk. I’m 70 and I’m eligible and this has been checked by my gp surgery. Haven’t had it yet though. Sorry you’ve had such a bad time with shingles though.

[Minnie2000]

I'm 51 and had mine back in September. I'd contact your surgery. Good luck.

[Kevin53]

My wife, 69 is starting on Methotrexate shortly. Her consultant recommended Shingrix and our GP obliged yesterday. I’m 70 and I was offered one as well. He said let’s try and keep shingles away from your wife.

Best wishes Kevin

[soul22]

I'm 52 GP can't give it nice guidelines age 70 plus only silly when had it five times now

[AgedCrone]

This is the latest information on the Shingles vaccination programme.

“From 1 September 2023, the vaccine programme is being offered to the following:

healthy people aged 70 to 79 years who have not yet been vaccinated

people aged 50 years and over with a severely weakened immune system

healthy people aged 60 to 70 years will become eligible for the vaccine over the next 5 years, when they turn 65 or 70 years

You will remain eligible for the shingles vaccine until your 80th birthday, unless you have a weakened immune system; people with a severely weakened immune system remain eligible for vaccine. The sooner you have the vaccine, the earlier you will be protected”