shingles vaccination

[Pongo13]

I thought I posted but something went wrong! I have recurring shingles, had it since age 25. I have it currently. I read the shingles post and see shingrix is best option - I have pmr and on very low dose steroid at 2per day dropping slowly to one per day. (10 per week). I want a private vaccination but read you have it one year after last bout. Problem for me with recurring shingles! Advice please!

[SheffieldJane]

This needs the advice of a medically qualified person. How often do you get it? The vaccine is so appropriate for you. I hope there is a way round this.

[Pongo13 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Every year since age 25 sometimes twice in a year!

[SheffieldJane in reply to Pongo13]

How utterly miserable. I looked briefly on-line and saw the one year rule as well. PMRPro’s advice is more hopeful.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

According to CDC there is no specified gap after having shingles before it can be given - just that the rash must have gone:

"If you had shingles in the past, Shingrix can help prevent future occurrences of the disease. There is no specific length of time that you need to wait after having shingles before you can receive Shingrix, but generally you should make sure the shingles rash has gone away before getting vaccinated."

cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingl....

The NHS page says that your GP will tell you when you can have the vaccine - it MAY be UP TO a year, but I suspect that is for the Zostavax vaccine whici is live so not recommended for anyone with a compromised immune system and the frequency of your attacks suggest that. The Shingrix vaccine is a different matter and can be used despite a compromised immune system as it isn't live. And we are entitled to it - but it must be ordered specifically and a lot of GP practices don't appear to be particularly "up" on its use.

[Pongo13 in reply to PMRpro]

My reply from my doctor:

Thank you for your econsultation.I have issued a prescription for the acute treatment of your shingles. NHS eligibility criteria for the shingles vaccination is age dependent and so that is not something that you can receive on the NHS prior to turning 70 ( or 80yrs and older ). With regards to management of recurrent shingles there may however be alternative management approaches so you may wish to book a routine GP appointment to discuss this further.

Thank you.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pongo13]

"Individuals within this age group who present with a previous history of shingles should be reassured that having natural infection will help to boost the individual’s immune response to the virus. Therefore, such individuals should wait until they become eligible for the national programme, ideally allowing a 1 year interval period between vaccination and the last episode of infection if possible.

Patients who have 2 or more episodes of shingles in 1 year should have immunological

investigation prior to vaccination. Clinicians may wish to discuss such cases with local

specialist teams."

assets.publishing.service.g...

They are offering - demand it!

In the USA they offer Shingrix to over 50s with recurrent shingles.

[Pongo13 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks - very helpful as always!

[HeronNS in reply to Pongo13]

Shingrix is intended for people 50 and over, whether you have ever had shingles or not. We were offered it as soon as it was approved in Canada, several years ago, although I didn't have it until within the past year, my choice. It is not covered by all the provincial health plans, and we had partial coverage from our own health insurance. Its cost may be a determining factor in the UK where it would be paid for by NHS. It is expensive. Even with our coverage it was a big chunk of change for us, can't remember exactly how much now.

[HeronNS in reply to PMRpro]

I see the publication still (February 2022) cites shortage of Shingrix, but I think that has been resolved?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HeronNS]

Depends what they contracted to buy doesn't it! And how much of the other stuff they have to get rid of.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

says

"Shingrix® requires a 2-dose schedule, with the second dose administered from 2 months following the first dose.

It is important that Shingrix® is given only to those who are clinically contraindicated for Zostavax® due to their immunocompromised status in order to have sufficient supply for those who need to receive it."

[Karenjaninaz]

I had a terrible case of shingles last Fall; I got my Shingrix shot 2 months after it.

[Pongo13]

So picked up the prescription and popped in to surgery to see if I could make appointment or if they’d prefer me to phone. Receptionist could not take at face value my need for appointment and read my notes. “You shouldn’t be in here if you have shingles” she said! Three weeks I’ve had it! Really? I work with pregnant mums. The shingles area is covered. As the pharmacy said to me after - someone would have to lick your arm to catch it! And it won’t be a face to face appointment - yet another telephone appointment! Rant over! Happy rest of the friday to anyone reading!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pongo13]

Honestly - sometimes you just have to wonder ...