Shingles

Whiff GrandmaKT i had flu jab yesterday- inflamed jab spot today and headachey...when i requested to have the shingles vaccine, was told there was criteria that not all over 65s would receive it...I asked why...both the GP and lady at computer said you have to wait for your next bday (then am 68) after next September..this does not make any sense...yes getting riled up at the TV promoting the over 65s eligible ..

Whiff

I was 65 in April but have been told I have to be 70 to get it. The TV and radio ads keep saying anyone 65 and over can get shingles vaccine . I would gladly have the vaccine but how when I am told by GP surgery and pharmacy I need to be 70. Very confusing?

Yres, it's strange the way they have done it - anyone coming up to 65 will be able to get it at the new age of 65, but for those already over 65 they have to wait til the previous age of 70.

I had the shingles vax a few months ago, no side effects at all. I have met several people who have had shingles and absolutely would not want to get it. Shingles can even get into your eyes

I've had the shingles vax with no ill-effects whatsoever. My sister had shingles years previously and had a lot of recurrent pain thereafter. So I grabbed the opportunity with both hands!

Recommend shingles inj. I had no side effects. In my 60s had shingles rash next to my eye and luckily received the aciclovar tablets - i escaped having the nasty pains and sight issues.

I was 65 in April but have been told I have to be 70 to get it. The TV and radio ads keep saying anyone 65 and over can get shingles vaccine . I would gladly have the vaccine but how when I am told by GP surgery and pharmacy I need to be 70. Very confusing?

Well after reading all these posts I'm booked in next week for the vac. Thanks everyone!

Don't know if you're all aware, but 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.

Yes as MayBee says if you develop Shingles you must get Aciclovir from your GP ASAP. Don't delay. Take pictures of your rash to email to the doctor. Don't wait for an appt. I think the tablets must be taken within 72 hours of the rash appearing.

I developed shingles straight after finishing chemo when my immune system was compromised.
The rash was at the base of my spine and across one buttock. The shooting pains were excruciating and 18 months later the spine area is still painful.
No side effects after the 2 Shingrix vaccinations I had some months after the shingles attack.

If anyone does get shingles it’s really important to get aciclovir tablets asap.

I’ve had shingles 3 times, fortunately without bad pain and not affecting my face, but that was enough of a warning. We both had the vaccination as soon as it was offered last year with no side effects.

I had the vaccination no side effects, a couple of years later I had a fall which damaged a nerve, that triggered a mild attack of shingles. Irritating at the time but a few days treatment with Zovirax cleared it up.

Yes, had it as soon as it was offered. No side effects whatsoever. My father had shingles in his eye in his 80s and was very, very poorly.

My son also had it on his head at the age of 19! And we had always thought of it as an illness affecting older people.

Yes Marybea. I didn’t have chickenpox and when tested for occupational health stuff all was good.

I had shingles during the first lockdown and was out of action for 6wks - it’s awfully painful and was sedated a lot of the time…

dogsmother

I don’t carry the virus so I’m supposing I’m immune. I would however not hesitate to have this as it a horrible illness.

Do you mean you haven’t had chicken pox?

I don’t carry the virus so I’m supposing I’m immune. I would however not hesitate to have this as it a horrible illness.

I had no side effects from it.
I had the jab as soon as I could - I’d actually had shingles at 68 - not too badly, thank goodness, but it certainly wasn’t pleasant. Might add that it was when was extremely tired and run down after an extremely busy time. I’m quite sure that this was a contributory factor.

I’d advise anybody to get the jab as soon as they can.

I had no side effects from the vaccine. I was glad to have it, my grandfather had shingles on his face and in his eyes and lost his sight.

How can you be unsure of getting the Shingles vaccination? Shingles is a terrible illness.

“Quite poorly” does not come close to how ill you can be with Shingles and how the pain can be ongoing.
I had it on my head and narrowly avoided permanent damage to my sight. And the pain was excruciating-like a power drill being driven through my skull!
Many people have complained here and elsewhere about not being eligible for the vaccine on the NHS so if it is offered I would not dream of hesitating.
PS you might like to ask HQE to move this from “Scams and Frauds” to “Health” where I am sure it more rightly belongs.

I had the shingles vaccination done years ago , no side effects , no problems at all !

I had mine last year, no side effects at all.

I had my shingles vaccine when it was offered at 70. No side effects at all.
My BinL had shingles and ended up in A&E as he’d burned himself trying to get some relief from the pain.