shringrix vaccine

[Rosina1871]

my surgery has spoken to rheumatology regarding the smallpox vaccine. They said as I’m on less than 10mg I can have the live vaccine. Any thoughts?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Go for it... but do make sure when you book, the person taking booking is aware it's the Shingrex one...

my experience...no longer on Pred, but persuaded GP didn't want to risk return of GCA...

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Rosina1871 in reply to DorsetLady]

They want me to go for the live vaccine not the Shringrix

[Rosina1871 in reply to DorsetLady]

Have I got this right , the Shringrix is the non-live one which the surgery say I don’t need. I don’t want the live one but I think my go gp will refuse to let me have the Shringrix

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Rosina1871]

No you don’t want the live one! You want the Shingrix one..

See this these links and insist on the correct one -

gponline.com/gps-roll-non-l...

gov.uk/government/publicati...

[Rosina1871 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for this. Problem is that rheumatology have advised my gp I don’t need the non live vaccine as I’m under 10mg of pred and not regarded as immune compromised! Not sure where to go from here. I suppose just put pressure on my surgery?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Rosina1871]

Well so suppose it depends how good your relationship is with your surgery, and how many others they have on their books who need it. The decision on mine was seemingly made by the practice manager -so guess it’s funding related as much as anything -but if you don’t ask (nicely) you don’t get.

Stress you are concerned about having live version-and see where it gets you… good luck.

[Rosina1871 in reply to DorsetLady]

I have sent a copy of this link to my surgery . Thanks. Will see what they say

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'd just say no. Zostavax can trigger PMR and shingles and isn't as effective. So I'd choose to wait. And see how supportive your GP is.

[Rosina1871 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks

[Rosina1871 in reply to PMRpro]

I’ve emailed the surgery and mentioned I thought I was over the first bout of pmr only for it to return, then got down to 6mg of pred a few GCA reared it’s head. I’ve tried to put my case forward and mentioned how stressed I am about it. We will see. Thanks for your input

[Kendrew]

Hi Rosina1871,Just to clarify for others that you do indeed mean shingles vaccination as you said smallpox in your initial post?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Kendrew]

Certainly hope so! 😊

[Rosina1871 in reply to Kendrew]

Sorry don’t know where that came from. Yes shingles

[Kendrew in reply to Rosina1871]

👍👍👍

[Longtimer]

I have had Shingrix recently, its done twice 8 weeks apart....I made doubly sure before the needle went in it was NON live vaccine, I am on 6 mg pred.....check before you arrive.

[MrsNails]

Did you mean Smallpox?

[Rosina1871 in reply to MrsNails]

No. Shingles. How stupid Of me. A bit stressed

[Maisie1958]

Hi Rosina1871 , hope you get sorted with Shingrix vaccine. I wouldn’t fancy the live one either. Unfortunately I think if they follow the green paper to the letter there’s not much you can do about it but definitely worth pursuing. I only looked up the various green papers as I’m on low dose MTX now. Hope you can see the photo but it’s in the part of who is eligible and they state a few times that “non eligible patients” should not be offered Shingrix instead of the live vaccine….. well worth a try though - hopefully you have a nice GP. However as you have you have already had a flare, you could possibly need to increase your prednisolone dose considerably so that would take you into the eligible category! Shame you have to have the stress of trying to sort things out for yourself.

All the best

Summary of severely immunocompromised from green book

[Rosina1871 in reply to Maisie1958]

Thank you for your reply. If my GP refuses me the Shringrix I will ask if it’s because of funding. I may ask if I can have it if I pay for it myself but not sure of the cost or if I can afford it

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rosina1871]

It's about £420 forthe two jabs - easy enough to access privaately I think, just a tad pricey.

[Rosina1871 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes it is too pricey. Still waiting for surgery to respond

[Rosina1871 in reply to PMRpro]

My surgery have refused as they said there are very strict guidelines as to who can receive it .

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Rosina1871]

that's not good...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rosina1871]

Ask them how come others on this forum have had it - and at doses like 5mg. You wouldn't catch me risking the Zostavax vaccine since it can trigger PMR.

Postcode lottery again ...

[Rosina1871 in reply to PMRpro]

I won’t have the live one but they we’re adamant about the strict guide lines. Very disappointed

[Croft9232]

Just has a quick Google and appears to be approx £220x 2 shots (as required)I guess it is the cost the GPs oppose!

Margaret.

[Rosina1871 in reply to Croft9232]

Thanks for looking

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Croft9232]

Doesn't cost them personally ...

[Rosina1871 in reply to PMRpro]

I’m assuming g they must have some overall budget

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Rosina1871]

Yes they do, but the original rationale from NHS was the supply - not to be given to people unnecessarily...or course the GPs may have interpreted things differently.

[Rosina1871 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks will see what the surgery has to say but I’m not risking the live vaccine

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Rosina1871]

quite right too...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rosina1871]

They do but it used to be based more on unnecessary use - so it is a corner to be fought.

And absolutely i I wouldn't risk the live version - especially since Zostavac actually can trigger PMR.

[Rosina1871 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. It’s good to have reassurance. Don’t understand why rheumatology haven’t backed me up if it’s known to trigger PMR and I assume GCA

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rosina1871]

I wonder who they asked. A specialist nurse maybe?????? Maybe they didn't know about the recent approval ...

[Rosina1871 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes it was a specialist nurse

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rosina1871]

Yeah - that'd fit. Some are brilliant about living with PMR but others are hopeless ...