Shingles Vaccination - has anyone here ever had one?

GustyGardenGalaxy

From doing some light reading I see that the commonly used Shingles vaccine in the UK is Zostavax. However, there is a much more effective vaccine called Shingrix but it's in short supply and is very hard to get hold of, even in the US.

I'm over 50 and had Chickenpox when I was in my teens, my father developed shingles later in his life (he was in his 60s) and given the amount of pain he went through I'm keen to avoid it.

Because of my age I'd need to have the vaccine administered privately (whether it's Zostavax or, if I could find somebody with it, Shingrix).

Has anyone here ever had a Zostavax or Shingrix vaccination? How was it?

Spoonie_Turtle

I haven't, but came across this thread a while ago (US-centric): https://mobile.twitter.com/AnneWheaton/status/1224533975567196160

The overall concensus seems to be that it can be pretty horrible for a few days (though lots of people were fine as well) but still infinitely preferable to having shingles and possible long-term effects therefrom. 

GustyGardenGalaxy

Thank you.

Debran

I've had the vaccine (a few years ago) and so did my late husband.  No ill effects whatsoever.

GustyGardenGalaxy

Good to know, thanks. I assume that you've not developed Shingles since then?

Also, how many years ago? I seem to recall reading that the jab needs to be re-done about once every five years.

evebeme

Hubby and I both had the vaccine last June.  No side effects for me but his arm was a bit sore for a couple of days.  Sorry, don't remember which one it was, but probably the more common one.

Debran

GustyGardenGalaxy said:

Good to know, thanks. I assume that you've not developed Shingles since then?

Also, how many years ago? I seem to recall reading that the jab needs to be re-done about once every five years.

I had already suffered from shingles in the past and was given the vaccine three or four years ago. 

You can read more about shingles vaccination here:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/shingles-vaccination/

GustyGardenGalaxy

Thank you.

harrys_nan

I had the shingles vaccine about 3 years ago, along with my flu jab no problems at all. I have also had the pneumonia one