Shingles Vaccination

[Ports]

Hi folks, just been sent a link for the Shingles Vaccine, is this something anyone else has had. I wasn't aware that when taking Methotrexate this was possible.

Unfortunately I can never get through to my surgery to ask the question.

Thank you

[Runrig01]

yes if your over 50yrs of age and on > 20mg MTX you are now entitled to the vaccine. Here’s a screenshot of the eligibility criteria

Shingles eligibility

[Madmusiclover in reply to Runrig01]

Thanks for this. Reminded me to chase my GP. I asked about it a few weeks ago.

[AgedCrone in reply to Madmusiclover]

I think they only started offering last month& they are probably concentrating on getting flu jabs done right now!

[Madmusiclover in reply to Madmusiclover]

They forgot my request to look into my eligibility. Not coded. They were very apologetic.

[Ports in reply to Runrig01]

Thanks for the info Runrig01 although I am now only taking 10mg

[MadBunny]

Yes I had it. The nurse told me it was because I'm on methotrexate. I'm also on the biologic Cimzia but she never mentioned that ( she probably didn't know what it was 🙂).

[medway-lady]

I had both doses last year and have Shingles at the moment and saw GP yesterday for antivirals. It’s not so bad this time but it’s the most awful condition therefore it’s such good news that younger people can get it now with qualifying conditions.

[smilelines in reply to medway-lady]

OH!!! do they have antivirals for Shingles?

[Madmusiclover in reply to smilelines]

Yup! Didn’t do much for me. Acyclovir.

[Ports in reply to medway-lady]

Thank you Medway -lady and hope you feel much better soon

[Gnarli2]

I had the first of two shingrix vaccines in early September with the second booked for 9 weeks later in December. The jabs are intramuscular but, apart from the initial 'ouch', there have been no other side effects. I'm on MTX and Rituximab.

[HeadInASpin]

hi , yes had my first shingrix dose last Monday. Rang rheumatology and they advised missing two methotrexate injections. Hope you can get through to yours for your own advice , my gp surgery had no idea!

[Ports in reply to HeadInASpin]

Hi HeadInASpin I dont have any luck with the doctors and leave messages on the rheumatology line but they are so busy they never answered my last question I left, keep trying

[Hightower62]

I have been refused the Vaccine as I am on 20mg MTX but taking no other medication for my condition. Rheumatology have advised that I need to be taking more than 20mg to be eligible.

I would be very interested to know whether anyone has been offered the vaccine when taking MTX only at 20mg.

[SueB in reply to Hightower62]

I had the shingles vaccine 3 years ago when I reached 70. It had to be the non- live vaccine as I’m on mtx so that meant 2 spaced injections. I’m Ona low dose of mtx- only 7.5 mg

[Hightower62 in reply to SueB]

Thank you.

[GinnyE in reply to Hightower62]

I went for my pneumonia jab yesterday and the nurse and I looked at the guidelines and decided I’d be eligible next year, as I’m 69 next month, and take 20 mg methotrexate. Not OVER 20 mg. The paperwork she had on this as mind boggling.

[Hightower62 in reply to GinnyE]

Thank you for replying, I am 61 and would qualify if I was on over 20mg. I realise that there has to be a cut off point but it is frustrating to say the least. From what I can tell, 20mg MTX is a fairly standard dose so call me cynical but it seems to me that setting eligibility at over 20mg is more about saving money than protecting peoples health.

All the best.

[Ports in reply to Hightower62]

Hi Hightower, I only take 10mg of MTX and nothing else so was surprised by the message from the surgery to book an appointment. I don't understand the way this all works surely everyone should be invited.

[Hightower62 in reply to Ports]

Hi Ports, thank you for replying, I agree there doesn’t seem to be a consistent approach. Both Rheumatology and my GP have said I am not eligible so I guess they are applying the rules very strictly in my area frustratingly.

[HeadInASpin in reply to Hightower62]

I have. Tbh they never asked about dose, they just offered it because I'm taking MTX

[TBird1]

I think I’m right in saying you need the non live vaccine so if I were you I’d double check that is what they are giving you. Sorry if this has already said!

[Ports in reply to TBird1]

Hi Tbird1 after reading my replies I wasn't aware that there were 2 types. I did understand that we weren't allowed to have any live vaccines.

[TBird1 in reply to Ports]

👍

[Wobbies]

Had it, but had to have non live vaccine, Shingrix as on MTX and Infliximab. 2 doses 12 weeks apart.

[Ports in reply to Wobbies]

THank you Wobbies

[Poshcards]

as you are on Metho, it has to be Shinglix vaccines x2, 2 months apart, you must not have live Shingles vaccine x

[mchokozi]

I had Shingles and only received the vaccine after I had it. Wish I had received the vaccine sooner. Since we are immunocompromised, we are at greater risk of having a shingles attack.

[JulieMBrown]

Hi I’m on 25mg Methotrexate injected weekly and I’m due to start Filgotinib as well at the beginning of November due to significant deterioration in my feet. I contacted my GP surgery about the Shingles vaccination and was told by the receptionist that I wasn’t eligible as I didn’t have a ‘mark’ on my record. I tried to argue my case but she was adamant. I then contacted the GP nurse team who confirmed I was eligible and asked me to ring reception and make an appointment. Again I was told I wasn’t eligible but was grudgingly offered an appointment at the end of October for the Shingrix jab. I was trying to get all my vaccinations up to date before starting the Filgotinib, but it was the usual farce. We are encouraged to self manage our health, but honestly it’s an uphill battle over what should be the easiest things.

[Blackwitch]

Unfortunately, it’s all very hit or miss. I had to request my Shingrix vaccinations and came up with the usual response from the receptionist that I didn’t have the ‘marker’ on my records. I did persevere as I’m on biologics and had the first dose. I was not given any information from the RD helpline whether I should stop Benepali so just carried on. The first dose left me with a useless arm for a couple of days and the pain went up my neck and into my ear. I’m wondering if the nurse just hit the wrong spot. I’ve never had a reaction like that before to flu or Covid jabs. just hope the 2nd one isn’t as bad. At least it’s better than having shingles. 😊

[Angels54]

I am due to have it and I take a biological, it says to cancel it for 2 wks as this is a live vaccine, get more advice if you can 👍

[Boxerlady in reply to Angels54]

I think that we have to have the non-live vaccine and that's what Shringix is 🤔