Shingles vaccination

[Peggy16]

Hi I’m on 2.5mg prednisolone for PMR and have just received a text from my G.P telling me I am eligible for a Shingles Vaccine. Can anyone tell me if this is safe to have with Prednisolone. Thanks

[SheffieldJane]

As long as the vaccine is not live we can have it.

[HeronNS]

As you are in the UK I don't think the non-live vaccine Shingrix is covered by NHS. Zostavax is not recommended for PMR patients on pred. Furthermore Zostavax is not nearly as effective in preventing shingles as Shingrix. If you were in the US you wouldn't even be able to get Zostavax any more, discontinued last November. In the UK it isn't available to those over 80 because it is deemed not effective enough. Shingrix is available privately at a hefty price. And in Canada both vaccines are still available and provinces vary in whether they cover the cost as part of the adult vaccination program or not.

[MrsNails]

Hi Peggy, Some information from Our FAQ on the Shingles Vaccine from DorsetLady

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Kind Regards

MrsN

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you are in the UK the vaccine on offer from the NHS will be Zostavax which is live - and also has been claimed to have PMR as a an adverse effect (and can cause a shingles attack!). Read the related posts listed for this post and look in FAQs for previous discussion about it.

[Lafontainepam1]

I’m from the US, I got my none live Shingrix last January from Kroger’s. I had to pay $176.00 each time, it comes in 2 doses. But it’s well worth every cent to me not to get shingles! I then got my Covid vaccines, I had to problems with the combination of taking Prednisone!

[Scarter]

I got PMR from shingles vaccine

[grannyh]

The short answer is no!

[PoolePerson]

My daughter is a nurse and when I was taking Prednisone she told me to definitely NOT have the shingles vaccine!!

[ritter]

Sorry I don't know never had any injection in my life untill the covid and that was a disaster as after 6yrs have got my GCA back

[Katiecatweazel]

1563803551-357486#} On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 4:58 PM UTC,:

Hello Peggy16, I was put on Prednisolone when I experienced tender patches on my scalp 12years ago. A temporal biopsy failed to show arteritis but I subsequenty had an aortic dissection and Prednisolone continued as a treatment for Giant Cell Arteritis/vasculitis. I have never been on an extremely high dosage and probably went to 12mg occasionally, no more than 15mg, then slowly reduced. I had a flare earlier in this year after I tried to reduce to 2.5mg, which clearly was too low for my condition. So up I went and am now floating around the 5mg mark, trying to get to a stage where my adrenal glands work properly. Last year I had splendid results with Tocilizumab until funding ceased and hence the dive down to 2.5mg was possible, but which could not be sustained. I have not had any adverse effects from Prednisolone but am very aware it is important to maintain as low a dose as possible. I hope this helps you in some way and wish you all the best. The shingles vaccine is a live vaccine and I could not have it when I was on Tocilizumab. I am not sure if there are any contraindications with Prednisolone. Many on this website will be able to answer that. Best regards,

[Sophiestree]

My GP told me (in the UK) that if my Rheumatologist recommended Shingrix then they would get it in for me. Might be worth an ask.As I have never actually seen my Rheumatologist since my diagnosis in Oct 20 I haven't bothered so far...