Shingles vaccination

crun you may not ever get shingles, not everyone does. Some people get it when they are very young. However, the nasty little varicella-zoster virus will sit there quietly and then catch you out, particularly if you are run-down, stressed or your immune system is low.

They vaccinate children against chicken pox in Australia; I don't know why they don't do it here as presumably it would avoid the nastiness of shingles as well.

The shingles vaccination is being rolled out over several years. Starting in September 2013, everyone 70 or 79 on 1 September each year is offered the chance to have the jab. With a 70th birthday in August 2013 I got the jab last Autumn. DH, a month younger than me, had to wait until this year.

I didn't know there was a shingles vaccine. I didn't get chicken pox till I was 30, so hopefully I'll be just as late getting shingles.

I was told that they couldn't get hold of enough vaccine, can't produce it quickly enough.

Had the shingles jab as soon as it was available. My mother, aunt and DD had it and after seeing the pain and misery it caused them, no way am I going to risk having it, if I can avoid it

Financial? That's the only reason I can think of.

It's 70 and 79 in Wales. Pop him over the border on his birthday, shabby.

I thought I would be able to have the vaccination before 70 (compromised immune system and have had it twice already). But rules is rules apparently.

My husband is 69 and has had shingles 3 times over the past year. Even though he is disabled and in the at risk category he can't have the shingles jab because he is not 71! No one can give any answers as to why 71 and 78 are the criteria for giving this jab. Even doctors and pharmacists seem to be puzzled.

That does not make sense, Deedaa. Surely if your husband is at greater risk of getting shingles he should have the vaccination. I would have thought that giving him the vaccination would be much cheaper than giving him Aciclovar three times a day for six years. Shingles does not just go for elderly people. My husband had it in his thirties.

Thanks everyone! I'm booked in for the jab on Friday!

The treatment DH is having means he is at risk of shingles so takes Aciclovir 3 times a day to prevent it. I know that a lot of other myeloma sufferers have had shingles several times and been very ill. He's still 6 years too young for the vaccination.

I have had shingles twice, so horrible and debilitating. I should be eligible next year for the shingles jab and am debating whether or not to have it. I have had a bad reaction to the flu jab and swine flu jabs in the past, and have bad reactions to insect bites. But shingles can be so awful that I may have the vaccination, otherwise I will have to wait until I am 79.

Shingles is awful, I had it Xmas before last. felt like i was being cut through with barbed wire, lasted for weeks

Yes, have the jab, definitely worth it. I had shingles in my eye and forehead about 10 years ago, ended up in hospital, dreadful pain and I still get itching and an uncomfortable feeling (not enough to call pain) on my head. Don't think it will ever go away now and it gets worse if I'm tired, stressed or unhappy.
No question about it - have it, I certainly will when I get to 71

Is it true that you can't get shingles if you've never had chickenpox?

Like hilda, I'm of the opinion that that's the case, but surgeries seem to be offering the vaccination to anyone who's eligible age-wise, regardless.

I have had shingles twice and I was really quite ill. I will have the injection when offered because I never want to go through pain like that again.

I agree get the jab. My mother got shingles really badly and it never really went away, the pain was awful.

I elected to go private 2 years ago and have the jab so that I didn't get it. The jab was a bit itchy but nothing bad. The cost was exorbitant just under £200 but it has given me peace of mind.

Get the Jab! A friend of mine got shingles in June - she was in such pain she spent a week in hospital on a morphine drip! Six months later she is still suffering pain, is weak, feeble and worn out with it all. I wish I could have the jab - I'd jump at it.

DH was eligible for a shingles jab this year. He is 71. He has had shingles twice and suffered badly, so he jumped at it. He didn't have any side effects from the jab.

Yes, have the jab.I have had shingles twice,first in my 20's then again almost 30 years later.The second time I recognised the symptoms early and was able to get treatment.It is very painful and long after the rash has cleared the pain persists I believe it is because the nerve endings are affected. I wish that I could have had a jab all those years ago and if I get the opportunity now I would certainly take advantage of it.

Can you get shingles twice? I had it on my eye when I was 29. It was really horrible and I wouldn't want to have it again. I haven't been offered it though.

I won't get shingles on account of never having had chicken pox!

My DH had it a few weeks ago when we both had our flu jab. Our surgery is giving it at 78this year which I understood was national.His arm was redder than the flu jab - other arm -and he developed tiny blisters,which we were told could happen, but that was all and he wasn't unwell. I will have it when offered as I don't want shingles.

I was unwell a few weeks ago so I could not have it done. I now have to wait another 8 years because around here in NW London the vaccine is given when one is 71 and then 79. Weird.