Shingrix question

[Emye343]

Hi there,

I’m doing some research into eligibility for the shingrix vaccine (in an attempt to persuade/cajole my non-NHS gp surgery in Guernsey to order it for me). I know that ,from September 2021, the NHS in the U.K. can prescribe it to individuals over 70 who can’t have the Zostavax, including immune compromised people. However, what about people younger than 70 who are on biologic medication? I can’t find any thing from the NHS that I can print off and show my gp which mentions those below 70 with immune suppression. Can anybody enlighten me or point me in the right direction? Thanks in anticipation!

[Helen-NRAS Moderator]

Good afternoon. If you would like support, information or just someone to talk to, our NRAS helpline is open every weekday from 9.30am to 4.30pm nras.org.uk/helpline/ 0800 298 7650. Kind regards.

[Emye343 in reply to Helen-NRAS]

Thanks Helen, I’ll remember that.

[medway-lady]

In my doctors it's a definite no according to the green book. I even offered to buy it as on biologic, and AZA and had Shingles really badly but the NHS is a definite no here. Could be worth asking though as it might be different there. It's worse for my husband as he can get it to protect me but Shingrex can't be given to people with Asthma. So he's eligable for it but still can't get it.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to medway-lady]

Hi Medway, is it that doctors feel people under 70 aren’t as much at risk so don’t want you to have an unnecessary vaccination? I had mild shingles post a Rtx infusion in 2019 and was told I may never get them again or I may! Nothing said re Vaccinations and I never pursued it. Acyclovir worked very swiftly and well for me. x

[Emye343 in reply to medway-lady]

Thanks midway-lady, it’s really not a good situation as we are particularly vulnerable to it.

[medway-lady]

Apparently the Green book says no to anyone under 70. I had horrific Shingles and as my husband turned 70 he asked for one. Got there and nurse said he had to have the Shingrex due to me being immune surpassed then looked at his records and said he could not have that as he has Asthma. I asked as under 70 and was told no as under 70 and can't buy it either for NHS to administer. I'm still on Acyclovir some 4 years later from my encounter with Shingles it and still get breakthrough on the odd occasion. The doctor said only way to get it done and she wasn't even sure I could stop the Acyclovir either, was to ask RA consultant to instruct them to do it. I don't know why but suspect it could be a funding issue as our GP's are rather mean....I don't think its GP's think less risk but have to follow the Green book instructions of the NHS. I'd happily pay for it so not a burden on the NHS but it's just not possible here in Kent. xx

[Emye343 in reply to medway-lady]

I saw my gp this afternoon and he is going to look into it - obviously I’d have to pay for it though (which I’m willing to do of course) as nothing is free here - paid £56 for the privilege of seeing him this afternoon and being given another (unwanted) diagnosis….

[medway-lady in reply to Emye343]

I hope your ok and even seeing a GP here is so difficult I'd gladly pay to do so. In fact a lot of GP's are having private surgeries in the local private hospital and it's worth thinking about. x

[Emye343 in reply to medway-lady]

Thanks midway-lady. I’m ok, just fed up with the way we seem to gather diagnoses: one is quite enough!

[Karen12]

Hi Emye

Not sure if this link is any good to you

ema.europa.eu/en/documents/...

This is just the info leaflet from the vaccine that says it is fine for people over 18 that are at risk from Shingles.

I just paid for 2 courses recently because I’m too young on the nhs. The difficulty I had was even private ones wouldn’t give it to me as I’m under 50 and I believe the recommendation of over 18s if immunocompromised is very recent addition.

I found only one place that would give it to me which was 1.5 hours away.

[Emye343 in reply to Karen12]

Thanks very much Karen12. I’m hoping the gp surgery will be able to source some for me and bring it over here. It won’t be cheap, but I’m sure it will be worth it to get that extra protection.

[Karen12 in reply to Emye343]

I paid £440 for mine as a guide so not sure if they would likely add more onto this for “convenience of shipping etc” given you already pay contributions for your healthcare

[Emye343 in reply to Karen12]

Oh I’m sure they will add on extras for having to bring it in - healthcare is a very profitable business over here!

[HappykindaGal]

Have you got a local travel vaccination clinic as they will probably be able to get it for you.

[Emye343 in reply to HappykindaGal]

Hi HappykindaGal,Nothing like that in Guernsey, sadly.

[Hidden]

I am 70 and my surgery rang me to offer me the vaccine last year. I have asthma as well as RA and many other health issues but was not told I couldn't have it because of asthma. I had no after effects from the injections which was very good. I hope you can get the issue sorted out to your satisfaction.

[Emye343 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I’m glad you were able to have it.

[ValleysBoy]

Tried to get the Shingrix in Wales but after a long wait for a reply a nurse at our GP surgery said that I would need to be on above 30mg a day of Pred to be eligible for the vaccine. The green book says the ordinary vaccine is safe for people below that and therefore they would not let me have it, even though they said they had got the vaccine in their fridge.I made enquires about getting it elsewhere. There is a private gp surgery in Cardiff Gate who does them. Each of the 2 vaccine shots costs £240+ for them to do it.

[Emye343 in reply to ValleysBoy]

It’s certainly not cheap!

[polltax]

I am 70 and have asthma and had no problem getting the shinglix vaccine they did not seem to know that you cannot have the normal vaccine if you are immune suppressed until I told them