Update on Shingles Vaccination in UK

[DJK12]

An earlier post made me check NHS Scotland about the shingles vaccination as my husband (without an MPN) is nearly 71 and hadn't been offered it - apparently it used to be done routinely with the flu jab when you reached 70, but last year our flu jabs weren't done by our surgery.

It appears the website ( and NHS England's) had been updated just two days ago and says that the non live one is now available in the UK and is the one for immunosuppressed patients. It also says we would need two doses of it. There is advice regarding timing with the Covid vaccination. These are the links for NHS Scotland and England :

nhsinform.scot/healthy-livi...

nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinati...

This seems hopeful for us?

[friendofpiglet]

Well that's welcome news. I've got my 'flu jab booked for next Saturday so I'll raise the issue then.

Andy

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

Hi DJK12, thank you so much for sharing this with us all, very much appreciated. Best wishes, Maz

[mhos61]

Thanks for this useful information.

[EleanorPV]

Amazing update. Thanks for sharing this information.

[Bluetop]

REally useful. Thanks very much for posting.

[SueWhitt]

Hi. I'm in Australia and have ET. Have had 2 bouts of shingles already and have thankfully just had my first Shingrix vax (the non live one). 2nd dose in 3 months. Needs a couple of weeks spacing from other vaccines such as covid. All good. Anything to reduce likelihood/ severity of more shingles!

[DJK12 in reply to SueWhitt]

How awful to have had it twice. Good you have had the first dose. I think we will all be very glad that UK now offers us the non live vaccine. Our son aged 40 had it so badly on his forehead that his GP sent him straight from her surgery to the eye hospital - thankfully his eyes were ok but it was a fright and certainly I am keen for my husband to get it now he is eligible - though he- without an MPN - can have the regular vaccine.

[friendofpiglet]

Just had my 'flu jab - administered by my GP, fortuitously. I asked if I was eligible for a Shingrix jab, he briefly studied my screen record and said yes, 'phone my secretary to book a slot.

I also asked about Covid boosters and he said that if I heard anything could I let him know. Nice to have a GP with a sense of humour.

[DJK12]

That is two loud hurrahs - first you've got your flu vaccine. Our practice here in Scotland says we are having them done like last year at mass vaccination centres (very efficient) but they have no information from local health board when they will be rolled out.

Excellent news about the shingles one - do you want to put up a separate post to encourage others to ask and hopefully educate GPs? My husband is still waiting a week later for surgery to phone to to say he can have the ordinary one. We're not holding our breath. I'm two years off 70 though must admit as on ruxolitinib I would like it sooner rather than later but doubt that will happen!

As for third vaccine this is what was said at Holyrood earlier in the week:

'Last week, the JCVI also issued advice to the effect that people with certain health conditions that suppressed their immune systems, should now be offered a third dose of vaccine.

This is because two doses may not be sufficient to enable those with compromised immune systems to mount a full immune response to COVID.

We are now moving to implement this advice over the next few weeks and we will provide further information to those affected by this advice shortly.'

Doesn't really get us anywhere. Hope your arm isn't too sore.

Best wishes

Diana

[friendofpiglet in reply to DJK12]

I'll leave posting on the subject until I have confirmed with my GP's secretary.

No sore arm yet - wondering whether I actually had the jab!

[DJK12 in reply to friendofpiglet]

You're right - best to wait to see they actually have vaccine. With the flu one, third vaccine and shingles you will be like a pin cushion! Good luck!