Shingles Vaccine

[NuttyR]

I’m in that inbetween age ie 67 in February 2024 hence now have to wait for the new vaccine while younger people get it before me. I wondered if we would be considered vulnerable and get it that way ? I’ve not been invited by the local practice. I’m currently on 6.5mg pred, but have been here and lower before, everything crossed. Anyone else in UK been offered it owing to compromised immune system? Or is that too low a dose now?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This is what the Government information states-

Almost a million more people (900,000) will become eligible for a shingles vaccination from September, the NHS announced today.

Anyone who is severely immunosuppressed and over 50 will be able to get two doses of the Shingrix vaccine – currently the vaccine is only available to those over 70.

From 1 September 2023, those turning 65 and 70 will also be able to get the vaccine after their birthday, in addition to those already aged 70-80. Patients will be contacted by their GP practice when they become eligible.

Eligibility will then be expanded to include those 60 and up by September 2033.

Page 7 of this link [Green Book] confirms what levels of Pred you are required to be on to be eligible- at 6.5mg you don’t fall into it -unless you have other meds or issues -

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[NuttyR in reply to DorsetLady]

Ah thanks not eligible then. Shame.

[Hightower62 in reply to NuttyR]

DL’s post states that from Sept 23 anyone turning 65 will be eligible. (Irrespective of health/medication) which would make you eligible. I would definitely contact your GP as you may have slipped through the net.

Apologies if I have somehow misinterpreted this.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hightower62]

for you and  NuttyR , just looked at NHS England info - seems as if NR falls into the the last bit of info as she turned 65 before 1 Sept 2023..

People who turn 65 on or after 1 September 2023

From 1 September 2023, you're eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 65.

You'll be offered 2 doses of the vaccine. These are given between 6 and 12 months apart.

Your GP should contact you to make an appointment to have your shingles vaccine. Contact your GP surgery if you think you're eligible for the shingles vaccine and you've not been contacted about it.

You'll remain eligible until your 80th birthday (but you can have your 2nd dose up until your 81st birthday).

Information:

If you turned 65 before 1 September 2023, you'll be eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 70.

[Hightower62 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for clarifying this DL, I certainly wouldn’t want to be giving misleading information.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hightower62]

More likely the government giving misleading info - agree with what you thought at first reading... but could remember some muttering about the "anomaly" when info first came out. So did a bit of ferreting to clarify in my mind as much as anything.. so glad you mentioned it.

[Hightower62 in reply to DorsetLady]

Great, that’s appreciated, thank you. 😊

[NuttyR in reply to Hightower62]

Yes that’s what I found out when looking into it. Really unfair.

[Hightower62 in reply to NuttyR]

I agree, I am 62 and thought I would get it due to medication but was refused. In the end I paid for it privately which was expensive at £450 for the two doses but worth it for the piece of mind. Even though it doesn’t guarantee I won’t get Shingles the effects shouldn’t (hopefully) be as bad so I feel it’s worth the expense.

[NuttyR in reply to Hightower62]

Well done. I did look at that, quoted same prices as you paid. Trying to balance whether it’s worth it or not. Thanks! Hopefully you won’t get it anyway.

[jarn in reply to NuttyR]

In Canada it is not free. You need the two shots and we have to pay for them. Well worth it and it is eligible for anybody from 50 upwards. I live in British Columbia and that's the way it is in our province.

[NuttyR in reply to jarn]

I guess we ought not to complain as we usually don’t pay for vaccines in UK. All part of the NHS which we do pay towards from a monthly pay of course. Good that it’s given to 50 and over. Glad you’ve had yours. Take care.

[jarn in reply to NuttyR]

We don't pay for all vax..............but since Shingrix was the newest on the block, there is a fee. So it is personal choice. All other vaccinations were free (well, it depends on how you look at "free" 😜) The old shingles vax is available for free.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jarn]

The old shingles vax is no longer available - Shingrix was introduced in September last year amd they were just using up the old one. Shingrix is only charged for if you don't qualify under the NHS roll-out programme and choose to have it privately.

[jarn in reply to PMRpro]

Yep, TX for clarifying

[Pusph]

I was refused it until I hit 70. I asked them why, with me being on steroids and therefore possibly immuno-suppressed, I couldn't have it when perfectly healthy people younger than me could! They couldn't answer that - and just fobbed me off with 'that's the guidelines'! Not at all satisfactory, and needs rethinking!!

[NuttyR in reply to Pusph]

Agree!

[Floridafan]

I also am 67 and was refused the vaccine by my GP.

[NuttyR in reply to Floridafan]

Ok thanks seems very unfair to give to younger and leave us waiting for another 4 years. Oh well.

[Sharitone in reply to NuttyR]

It IS unfair. they could have just lowered the qualifying age by 1 year every year, couldn't they? If I weren't immunosuppressed, I think I would complain (but to whom?)

[Smellydog9]

I was asked to have it but that was when I started tocilizumab.

[NuttyR in reply to Smellydog9]

You were eligible on that I guess. Thanks.

[Smellydog9 in reply to NuttyR]

Yes. Not been offered before.

[AshPen9]

I'm an in betweenie as well, NuttyR. I'm on 5mg and they refused me. It is a bit annoying when you see it being given to slightly younger people who don't have other issues as we do. I suppose it's difficult to devise a rollout programme that fits everyone. We'll have to keep our fingers crossed that we stay shingles free in the meantime! Take care.

[NuttyR in reply to AshPen9]

Yes! One of my friends had it very badly early last year and still has the tingling and numbness on one side.

[AshPen9 in reply to NuttyR]

I've had it once, and the shingles itself wasn't too bad. However I was allergic to the antiviral meds and ended up with a head to toe itchy rash!

[NuttyR in reply to AshPen9]

Oh no! My friend was given GABA Pentin (?) for nerve pain and had a fit, ended up in A&E and had her driving licence taken for 12 months, then given back a year later after lots of scans and tests. If it’s not one thing it’s something else !

[Pixix]

I had jab when I was 65, two years before my PMR. I only got it because the professor of a large lung unit who was looking after my very poorly lungs said I should have it. I’d been continuously sick for three years and my immune system wasn’t working at all. That’s how bad I had to be to get it. I didn’t ask for it either. I’m grateful I’m not seriously immune compromised with PMR, I had three years of hell being so sick and catching every bug and virus that I breathed in. In the end I and my husband had to shield the whole time. We still have to shield every winter..for months on end and all through every Christmas. That’s what life is like for most people who are severely immuno compromised! I have a friend with blood cancer and she’s still shielding after the Covid pandemic and has no social life at all. No holidays, no pubs, parties, no shopping. That’s her life as a severely immunized compromised person!!!

[NuttyR in reply to Pixix]

Oh yes definitely needed for those with severely compromised immune systems. You’ve had a rough time! And of course, we all know people going through much more than we are, I have a family member in this very position. Their whole lives are compromised.

[Pixix in reply to NuttyR]

Thanks! Yes, I actually have been diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Fibromyalgia, Raynauds Syndrome, Osteoarthritis, Hypermobility, Essential Tremor, Vertigo, Trochanteric Bursitis, Haemangioma - spinal, Asthma, Sciatica, Orthostatic Hypertension, Blepharitis & macular Degeneration…over the past ten years, really. My brother had multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, but actually died from a bog standard, normal infection…because his immune system couldn’t fight it. He was fighting the cancer well, he’d had a stem cell transplant & was in remission…then caught a chest infection…& died. That’s immuno suppressed!! Compromised. Etc. Sympathy for your family member, it’s very hard to live this way…we had to pop into the bakery this afternoon (normally 100% is delivered, but we care away from home in our motorhome in the forest for a break), & we are always the only people in masks…but then we are in hospitals, our doctors surgery! S x

[NuttyR in reply to Pixix]

I’m so sorry to hear about your conditions and sad loss of your brother. A motorhome is such a good way to enjoy life & get some freedom, normal life but keep away from germ carriers. I’m envious. I see a lot of people wearing masks where I live in London so don’t even worry about it. I still go through a lot of antibacterial gel, despite some saying it makes no difference! Have fun in the forest. New Forest? My bro lives in the New Forest coast & loves it. Take care and stay well.

[Pixix in reply to NuttyR]

Thanks! Good to hear people are wearing masks in London! People here are only wearing masks if they have Covid, but don’t want to isolate, so think it’s fine to go out & have fun if they wear a mask! Somebody even refused to share a lift with me in case they caught it from me!! I think the antibacterial gel is a good idea if in a situation where you can wash your hands, eg on tube & bus journey through London! Yes, we live within the boundary of the New Forest National Park…in the north of the area, and love it! We have come to the south as the motorhome had problems & we decided against going too far from home! Sadly, my osteoarthritis is getting too bad & we may have to sell this motorhome, but will buy an alternative, & smaller van! Yes, it’s great having the coast so near, too! S x

[Bcol in reply to Pixix]

Had a conversation with my OH today about the increasing number of people we see wearing masks.

[Pixix in reply to Bcol]

good news, unless they’ve got Covid and think it means they needn’t stay at home, ha ha!!

[NCStateLine]

I am amazed that many in the US would prefer socialized medicine. I got the Shingrix vax about 5 years ago at the age of 61 and there was no issue on availability at all

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to NCStateLine]

These comments are from UK residents - different health care system to US

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to NCStateLine]

When it comes to availability, the reason that there were shortages in the countries with socialised medicine was because the private medicine system in the USA had purchased all available stock which meant there were inadequate supplies to make enough available at one time for the other countries.

[Alexya]

I had the vaccine and I was SO sick from it. I will not be getting it again.

[Ladyhillingdon in reply to Alexya]

Agree I had mine and felt so ill , I was in bed for two days. I now have to face having my second and the nurse has said not to wait the routine six months but to go back after two months because I am immunocompromised. However I am having to weigh a couple of days in bed , with getting Shingles which I have had twice , the second time was so awful I was in dreadful pain for months .

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Ladyhillingdon]

However I am having to weigh a couple of days in bed , with getting Shingles which I have had twice , the second time was so awful I was in dreadful pain for months .

In that case, then 2 days in bed is a no brainer… you do need both vaccines .

[Holidaytime89]

just for the record I had the shingles vax last year - I was just lucky being at the right age 😀 It did give me a bit of a sore arm for a few days but nothing more - and apparently there is mounting evidence that it protects against dementia too so I’m glad I had it.