Shingles vaccine

[BinnieBoo]

I've been invited to have the shingles vaccine as I've turned seventy. As I'm taking prednisolone is it safe to have the vaccine ?

[Noni71]

When I was invited for mine and advised them I was on steroids, they said I had to wait until there was a group of us that required the non live vaccine. I think it’s important that you have the non live version.

[123-go in reply to Noni71]

Hello, Noni71. I wouldn’t be happy with the decision not to make the Shingrix vaccine available until a group requested it. How large is a ‘group’? Who will take responsibility if, in the meantime, you find yourself with shingles?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 123-go]

It was a question of availability at the time I imagine. As well as cost while it was being used only for immunocompromised patients. It is supplied as 2 vials, one of reconstituting liquid, one of vaccine. Once reconstituted the dose is 0.5ml - liquid vials are usually more than that and the vaccine must be used within 6 hours so they "collect" a group so the vaccine can be reconstituted, made up into 0/5ml injections and used for several subjects rather than having to discard the rest of the vial - which would be VERY costly.

But it shouldn't apply now as the Zostavax vaccine which was the problematic one is no longer available (not manufactured and stocks of Zostavax are depleted) and everyone gets the Shingrix one.

I don't see there is a "responsibility" for you developing shingles before it is done, prior to its development was no different. Nor is any vaccine is 100% successful in preventating anything, they just make things less worse, so to speak.

[123-go in reply to PMRpro]

If thems the rules then thems the rules 💁.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

So long as it’s the Shringrix one - and it’s given as 2 doses - 2 to 6 months apart.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Yes - it is safe since only the non-live vaccine should be in use now. It comes as a course of two jabs, 2-6 months apart, and is called Shingrix.

[piglette]

I think they stopped using the live vaccine last September in UK.

[BinnieBoo]

Thank you everyone for your help. Yet another problem solved 😃 I have had shingles several times through the years and I really was hoping that I could have the vaccine. Thanks again.

[Phoebenooby in reply to BinnieBoo]

I was on about 10mg of steroids when I had mine as soon as I turned 70 last year, I was very keen to have it as you are more likely to get it on steroids. Only had slight sore arm with both doses. Good luck

[Bluey-1]

I’ve just had mine today. They’re all the non live ones, booster in 6 months. I’m relieved to have it. I know two people who had shingles in the eye and were very poorly for a year.

[PoolePerson]

my daughter is a nurse and when I was taking Pred. Told me under NO circumstances to have the Shingles vaccine!!!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PoolePerson]

That was the old shingles vaccine, Zostavax, It is now Shingrix which is fine as it isn't a live vaccine.

[Grants148]

l refused my shingles vaccine ,they tried to persuade me to have it even though it was a live vaccine at the time .l was not sure about the side effects and have had shingles which fortunately although it can be really painful was not too severe in my case .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Grants148]

But you can have shingles repeatedly - it isn't as if having it confers any protection.

[Grants148 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for informing me of this PMR pro ,I was aware of this but l know people who had bad side effects from the live vaccine, it could be the non live vaccine does not cause those side effects.My mother lived until aged ninety nine and never had shingles so not everyone gets it , l preferred to decline the vaccine and hope l never get shingles again .