Shingles vaccine

[jointpain]

My wife was refused the shingles vaccine by her GP as she wasn't old enough (not over 70) we asked for it a year after she had shingles which she really suffered from and still has a bit of discomfort from. Has any MPN patients been refused because of their age?

[mhos61]

Yes. I enquired about the shingrix vaccine, and was told the criteria was strictly age 70. I asked for clarification about the immunosuppressed accessing the vaccine and was assured that age 70 still applied. Doesn’t make sense!

My hubby is far more immunosuppressed than me. He developed shingles during lockdown. I was on the ball and immediately sent photos to the GP. He promptly received aciclovir, and thankfully no lasting effects. We have an elderly neighbour who has been left significantly affected by shingles to the point of being disabled.

I think the criteria should be changed to include the immunosuppressed.

[ainslie in reply to mhos61]

can I ask you which MPN med your on

[mhos61 in reply to ainslie]

I’m on low dose hydrea 5x 500mg weekly. However, it was my hubby who got shingles, who is immunosuppressed from RA meds.

[Mirror368 in reply to mhos61]

I suggest you psy for it yourself…it is well worth it and is for people 50 and older. Medicare pays for it in the United States. Eileen

[SuET2017]

yes, I had shingles last year (awful and was really poorly). Post singles I asked my GP if I was able to get the vaccine and was told no. I wouldn’t want to get again but it would seem the criteria is rigid.

[ainslie in reply to SuET2017]

interesting you had it on Peg, it’s alleg more common on Rux 6%

[Anag]

my cardiologist had shingles on her face at 38!

Testicular cancer hits men generally between 16-35. My husband had it at 39. A trip to the urologist for a test for men here in Austria is paid by the insurance after the age of 40. 😑

[MWxxxx]

I also enquired whether I should have the shingles vaccine after I was offered the pnuemonia vaccine when I started hydroxycarbamide and was aware that there was a "non live" version of the vaccine but I was told no, it was only for the elderly. In response to your question, I googled why younger immunosuppressed people cannot get it and apparently it has only been tested on older people so it is not approved, which I guess is why doctors are so strict about it.

[Exeter21]

yes I asked GP surgery for it because of my MPN disease & was told no. Definitely would not do it till 70. I am 69. NHS red tape decisions & money . I can get no help anymore from my local GP surgery who never discuss my heath & would not even assist to re dress a wound recently.

Their interest in MPNs is nil at my surgery 🙈

[lizzziep]

They’re very strict about the age, I was 70 a couple of weeks ago and they wouldn’t even let me book it until after my birthday. It’s ridiculous that immuno suppressed people can’t have it., I’m sure it would save the nhs money in the long run. I’ve now had the first of two - got the next in 8 weeks.

[ainslie]

ditto , asked my Haem yesterday , not until 70 for Shingrix , it’s nuts they give us umpteen questionable Covid vaccines but even having had shingles it’s a no even if it actually is good for prevention, it’s expensive so that’s maybe a factor.

I had shingles in Sept, I was lucky small on chest and only lasted about 2 weeks with 3 painful days. The trick is get Aciclivor asap ie immediately, it reduces severity and allegedly reduces risk of long term pain.

I asked my GP if I could get some Aciclivor to have just in case it came back , no chance, I bought some on holiday so ready if needed, a box in Spain was about 50 Euros, expensive, it maybe worth trying GP to get a supply. I’m on Rux for PV.

[DJK12 in reply to ainslie]

That is useful to know it can be brought abroad. Might commission next family member who goes on holiday to buy it! When Haematologist spotted I had minute cold sores round my mouth ( I wasn't troubled by them and had hardly noticed them) he phoned GP and insisted I was prescribed Aciclivor. However when they came back GP said he was over fussy and said just to use the cream you can buy over the counter.

When I went on Rux (post ET MF) I asked if I could have some anti virals to keep in the house as even a common cold unfortunately regularly turns into pneumonia so its clear my immune system is not brilliant. Like you it was turned down.

I'll be 70 this summer and will be pro active at phoning number on NHS Scotland's site about Shingrix, but I think from an older friend's experience, they are still playing post covid catch up.

[Blackroc]

Shingrix is available privately to over 50s at Boots at a cost of £450 for the two doses,

[jointpain in reply to Blackroc]

My wife can't even sell a kidney! As she's only got one left after the other died due to clotting.

[Blackroc in reply to jointpain]

😀 it is expensive. Just thought it was relevant to show that the refusal was not related to it not having been tested on under 70s. Obviously a cost saving measure.

[Pachena]

here in Australia you can get it earlier tho there is a cost. My husband and I got ours in South Africa 4 years ago $250 each along with the pneumonia vac for $70 each. We knew so many who had/were suffering from shingles that we decided it was worth the cost. My sister had her shingles vac here in Oz this week for $285. Her husband is 70 and he had shingles last year so he will get his free at the end of the year.

[hunter5582]

Not here in the USA. There is no age restriction on the Shingles vaccine that I have seen. It is usually covered by insurance and quite easy to access on demand. Access could vary by insurance plan, bur preventative care is almost always covered.

One very odd vaccine restriction is in place for people on Medicare. Medicare will not pay for a tetanus shot unless you are injured. It is a truly bizarre restriction. I found out after my DPT booster (after the fact). I have never gone for 10 years at any point in my life where a tetanus shot would not have been needed. It is a ridiculous policy, but expecting healthcare systems to always make sense is a bit unrealistic.

[Solyesh]

Here in Israel and in the US it is recommended for people over 50 and covered by most insurance plans. The only advice I received from my MPN specialist was to make sure it wasn't the live vaccine I was receiving (which they do not do, for the most part, anyway in the US)

[Swede]

Hi,yes I have, although my haematology doctor wrote to GP and told them I should have it.Twice they refused.I will get on the case as soon as I am home again...