Shingles Vaccination

[ROEY]

Hi all could someone please tell me if you can have the shingles vaccination if you're on methotrexate as it's a live vaccine. My GP surgery keeps leaving messages to tell me I'm entitled to it. I know its awful but I just don't trust them to get it right.

[Ali_H]

As far as I am aware No! but check with your rheumy team to be sure.

Ali

[oldtimer]

As far as I know from the advice on the immunisation site you can have it while on methotrexate, but not on some of the other DMARDs or biologics.But check with your rheumy team first.

[Riedenise]

I was told NO Live Vaccines. Check with your Rheumy team first. X

[nomoreheels]

Those on low dose MTX (less than 25mg per week) can have the shingles vaccine as they're not considered immunocompromised enough to not have it. This download explains more fully google.co.uk/url?sa=t&sourc...

Or, as per this excerpt from Public Health England Green Book - Vaccination against shingles: 2015/16 Information for healthcare professionals

"Zostavax® is not contraindicated for use in individuals who are receiving topical/inhaled corticosteroids or corticosteroid replacement therapy. Long term stable low dose corticosteroid therapy (defined as < 20mg prednisolone per day for more than 14 days) either alone or in combination with low dose non- biological oral immune modulating drugs (e.g. methotrexate <25mg per week, azathioprine <3.0mg/kg/day or 6-mercaptopurine <1.5mg/kg/day) are not considered sufficiently immunosuppressive and these patients can receive the vaccine. Specialist advice should be sought for other treatment regimes."

If still unsure as always ask your Rheumy team.

[BoneyC]

I've always been told no live vaccines, I couldn't have the German Measles one at school because of RA and my rheumy has in recent years printed on his letters, "no shingles vaccine".

[AgedCrone]

Ask your rheumy nurse or the consultant in charge of your treatment....but unless you are a certain age they won't give it on the NHS.....but as your GP practice have contacted you ...you must be in the right age group.

If you look on the,NHS website it tells you the exact age you have to be.

...I was quoted £225 last year to have it & decided not to bother....In March this year I had Shingles! To my knowledge I had not been in contact with anyone I was likely to have caught it from.

Luckily I got the anti virals & anti biotics within 24 hours of seeing the rash (on my scalp & forehead) & so didn't have it very badly.

So if your Rheumy says it's OK go for it!

[Joy_1]

NO live vaccines - that's the golden rule!!!!