Shingles shot and PA

[xyz011]

I recently turned 60. I was diagnosed with B12 deficiency over a year ago. I am thinking of getting a shingles shot, is there any potential problems I need to be aware of related to the shot and the PA?

[Foggyme Administrator]

Hi xyz011. The shingles (Herpes Zoster) vaccination is thought to be safe for those with B12 deficiency.

However, there are contraindications in place for this vaccination. Here's what the CDC says about it:

Zoster vaccine should not be administered to:

A person who has ever had a life-threatening or severe allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or any other component of shingles vaccine. Tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies.

A person who has a weakened immune system because of:

HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system,

treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids,

cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy, or

cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, such as leukemia or lymphoma.

Women who are or might be pregnant. Women should not become pregnant until at least 4 weeks after getting zoster vaccine.

Someone with a minor acute illness, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. But anyone with a moderate or severe acute illness should usually wait until they recover before getting the vaccine. This includes anyone with a temperature of 101.3°F or higher.

And here's what Public Health England has published (see page 8 of the Green Book (first PDF link) for information about contraindications relating to this vaccination):

gov.uk/government/publicati...

I have an underlying autoimmune condition and am being treated with both steroids and immunosuppressants, so unfortunately I can't have it.

Hope to goodness I never get shingles 😉.

[xyz011 in reply to Foggyme]

In the USA one of three people over 60 get shingles. I have had several friends who had it. Since I had chicken pots as a kid, it is on my TO DO list, now that I am 60! Thanks for the info!