shingles vaccination

[Maisie10]

hello. Has anyone had the shingles vaccination, I have PV and on Hydroxycarbamide.

Wondering if to have it or not.

take care x

[Maisie10]

Thank you

[hunter5582]

I have had the old version of the Shingles vaccine. Will be getting the newer Shingrix when schedule permits.

[WRLM]

I've had the first of the two... my arm ached a bit the next day, no other issues/side effects. As someone who had shingles in my early 30s I'm happy to try to avoid going thru that again!

[SuET2017]

yes, also had first of two (to be had 8 weeks apart). Booked in with my GP. All good, with no side effects except for sore arm (less so than covid vaccine).

I also had shingles on face, ears and eyes last year - it was awful. And like WRLM, never want to experience that again. I was very grateful that the vaccine has been extended to ‘younger’ people.

[Maisie10 in reply to SuET2017]

Thank you for all your reply’s . I will contact GP and get booked in.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

Hi Maisie, just remember to tell your GP, or whoever is administering the vaccine, that you can only have the non-live vaccine, it is called Shingrix. Best wishes, Maz

[Maisie10 in reply to Mazcd]

will do. Thank you Maz

[Maisie10 in reply to Mazcd]

Apparently I can’t get booked in with the GP as I am 62. Even with PV.

They said they would need a letter from the hospital but the hospital don’t send letters for vaccination.

Best wishes x

[Cakeface in reply to Maisie10]

I think there's a bit of confusion like there was originally with the covid jab. I'm 63 and had the first Shingrix dose today and was booked in by the nurse for the 2nd dose in 4wks. The nurse rang me later today to tell me that I shouldn't have had it until I'm 65. I told her that I'd looked on the Gov UK site and that it says over 50's who are immune compromised should have the Shingrix vaccine (Sept 23), and second dose no less than 8wks after the first! She said she'll ring me back when she'd checked her information! Have a read and re-contact your surgery. Good luck 👍

[Maisie10 in reply to Cakeface]

Thank you. I will have a read. X

[beetle]

As I am suffering with shingles right now I would say yes, yes, yes get the vaccine as shingles is excruciating! I can’t even get the benefit of oral acyclovir as it can’t be given to immunocompromised individuals. I have acyclovir cream for topical treatment and I’m praying for improvement!

Best wishes, Jan

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice in reply to beetle]

Hi Jan, so sorry to hear that you have shingles, I hope that you feel better soon. Best wishes, Maz x x x

[Scaredy_cat in reply to beetle]

I don't understand about the acyclovir. I'm on that twice daily following a stem cell transplant ( you are immunology compromised with that). It is to keep shingles at bay until I can have the shingles vaccine. I've know had my first shot. I suggest you query the doc.

[beetle in reply to Scaredy_cat]

Online info states that immunocompromised individuals shouldn’t take acyclovir. I heard the doctor when she left my room in hospital saying just that and didn’t believe her. Unfortunately she appears to be correct. I have been on prophylactic dose 400mg/day for many years too

I can’t find the article I read but webmd.com mentions immune system problems as a precaution. I don’t think I have spread false information and I will continue to search for the article I read. As an aside, my neutrophils are at 0.5!

[Otterfield in reply to beetle]

I am very immunocompromised and have been on Famcyclovir (like Acyclovir) as a prophylactic since my transplant. Before that, when I had Shingles whilst on Ruxolitinib, I was treated with Acyclovir (several a day), then continued with it as a prophylactic. It may be worth asking again.

[beetle in reply to Otterfield]

As you see above, I can’t find what I read about Acyclovir. I think my doctor was referring to higher dose than 400mg per day as I had been taking. I heard her outside my door saying you can’t give high dose Acyclovir to neutropenic patients.

There is nothing in the patient information leaflet that I have with 400mg tablets. I think you are right though and I will ask haematologist for further information

Best wishes, Jan

[Ebot]

Just had mine. GP only giving the newer - non live - Shingrix. Sore arm and feeling a bit rough afterwards. Second one in eight weeks.

[Maisie10]

I have just been to the doctors to book it and said I don’t qualify unless I get a letter from the hospital. I told them of my condition but didn’t make any difference. I will email the hospital. X

[Solyesh]

Had the non-live Shingrix version both shots - had a couple of friends suffer with Shingles and decided there is NO WAY I wanted to live through that..the shots did knock me on my butt for a couple of days (the second was worse than the first) but glad I did it

[Yanks7]

Sorry for the late reply, just saw this. By now, your decision has been made, but I'll share mine anyway. For me, it was simple. I have PV Jak2 and I had 1st dose of Shingrix upon recommendation of my PCP approximately 1 month ago. Slightly sore arm where I took the shot was only side effect. The pharmacy told me to wait 3 months before I get 2nd shot.

[Maisie10 in reply to Yanks7]

thank you for your reply. Unfortunately my doctors still say I’m not entitled to it yet unless I get a letter from the hospital which they say they don’t do for vaccinations .I’m 63 with PV Jaks 2 positive. Take care