Has anyone had the Shingles vaccine?

[onetrack]

I'm just starting a discussion on the Shingles vaccine, because my Doc is becoming VERY insistent that I get the vaccine.

 

However, I've never had Chickenpox in my life, and after advising him of this point, he tells me it doesn't matter whether I've had it or not - only that if I've been in contact with Chickenpox carriers, and I'm carrying the antibodies as a result, I can get Shingles.

 

I scoffed at this, asking how was it possible that I could have the Chickenpox antibodies, but I have never had the disease? He says it is entirely possible and he could test as to whether I had the antibodies or not.

So I did the blood test, and sure enough, I'm carrying the Chickenpox antibodies. He's really pressuring me on the Shingles vaccine, saying it's the most painful complaint ever - worse than a broken arm!

 

When I replied I'd never broken a bone in my life, he rolled his eyes - but continued on his rant about how bad the complaint is, and how there's no risk with the latest Shingrix vaccine, as it doesn't use live virus material.

 

I'm somewhat reluctant to get the vaccine as I really don't feel that I'm at any major risk of acquiring Shingles - but the Doc disagrees and says it is well worth the effort to get vaccinated.

 

What does the forum think? - and has anyone else any personal or close relative experience, relating to Shingles and the previous (Zostavax) or the current (Shinggrix) vaccines?

 

https://ncirs.org.au/zoster-shingles/zoster-shingles-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions-faqs#:~:text=Key points * Herpes zoster – commonly,often in a strip or band-like pattern.&text=* Shingrix is an adjuvanted recombinant varicella-zoster,(non-live) vaccine given in a 2-dose schedule.

[gareth lacey]

Yes i had my first 1 4 weeks ago, second 1 in 2 weeks, no reaction slightly sore shoulder where the jab was , apparently for our age group(77) its amust

 

[octave]

My understanding is that you can't get shingles if you have not had chickenpox.    On the upside, there have been a few studies lately that suggest the vaccine may have an added benefit of reducing the incidence of dementia.

Shingles vaccine linked to dementia risk reduction

[red750]

I had chickenpox as a child. A few years ago, my wife had shingles, and in January 2024, I had shingles on my neck and face. The photo below shows the effect, and I think mine was a mild case. It went from my left ear almost to the the corner of my left eye, and down my neck. If it had got into the eye, I may have lost sight in that eye. I still have soreness and itch in my left ear, making it difficult to wear hearing aids. I constantly want to poke my finger in my ear to scratch it. I had the vaccine about six weeks ago, and have been told I should have every two years. I would definitely recommend you have it, the disease is not pleasant.

 

 

 

[onetrack]

1 hour ago, octave said:

My understanding is that you can't get shingles if you have not had chickenpox

Octave, that was my understanding, too - but my Doc says I can still get Shingles, despite not having had any indications of acquiring Chickenpox. I have never had any of the "childhood" illnesses - mumps, measles, or chickenpox.

 

I went all through my school years without contracting any of these diseases, and when I lived with my brother and his wife and three boys, in my 20's and 30's - and they all got the 3 diseases - once again, I never contracted them, even though I was living in close daily contact with them. My brother actually acquired mumps when he was about 40, and that was pretty painful for him.

 

I did get whooping cough when I was about 5, but whooping cough is caused by a bacteria, not a virus. However, the Doc is adamant I must get the vaccine shots (2 are required), or I'm going to suffer horribly.

SWMBO and I do have friends our age (well over retirement age) who have contracted Shingles, and they certainly did get very sick, and suffered greatly. But they all had Chickenpox as children. 

 

The section in your linked article about a reduction in incurring Dementia, is not exactly a substantial research result and the % is not anything to write home about. And I notice an Australian doctor cautioning about reading too much into the results from what was a small research base.

 

Edited 23 hours ago by onetrack

[rgmwa]

I had the vaccine about four years ago and had chicken pox (as we all did) when I was young. No reaction from the vaccine. I was told it normally costs $300 but free at my age. My brother who is about six years younger got shingles. Not pleasant! Can’t see why you wouldn’t get it if they’re offering it. 

[rgmwa]

1 hour ago, octave said:

My understanding is that you can't get shingles if you have not had chickenpox. 

Wrong. You definitely can. 
Edit. Sorry Octave. Misread your statement. You are correct. You need to have been exposed to the herpes zoster virus 

Edited 23 hours ago by rgmwa

[onetrack]

Yes, the Shingles vaccine is free to us, due to advanced age, so no major worries about cost. I just harbour this reluctance to keep getting vaccine injections for every darned thing. The Doc is also on about the 'Flu injection, too - but I haven't had the 'Flu for years and years (maybe 10, 12 or more years, can't recall when I last had it), and I'm not classed as "immunocompromised" or otherwise suffering from any ill-health or feebleness - and I believe keeping the bodys own immune system healthy is as good as any way to go.

 

I eat well with a good varied diet, am not overweight, am still active daily, so I just don't feel like I'm at serious risk. All my blood tests come back with good results - the only thing is, it looks like I might need to have my prostate ripped out in a year or three, it's a bit enlarged, but not at a serious level yet. I can still get through the entire night without needing to urinate.

[rgmwa]

I see it like insurance. Had the flu vaccine and covid booster about three weeks ago. No reactions. No flu or covid yet either so it must be working. 

Edited 22 hours ago by rgmwa

[Litespeed]

Having a extremely painful dose of shingles across my chest and stomach, it's a serious thing.

 

It lasted on and off for six months and small flare-ups for about a year.

No matter your history of health , if you have the antibodies, you are at risk. Especially as we age, the odds drop and so does your bodies ability to fight it's effects and reduce the severity and longevity of the disease.

 

Taking two little jabs in the arm is the best insurance medicine can provide.

[Jerry_Atrick]

According to my mum, I never had chicken pox, mumps, etc as a kids and I certainly didn't have it as a teenager or adult. But, when I last lived in Aus, I got shingles across my bac. It lasted about 2 weeks. Had no idea what it was. The doc said I could have been exposed to it as a kid and never shown symptoms. Touch wood, never had it again, and I certainly will not miss them.

[pmccarthy]

I was told  there are two vaccines, a single shot and a two shot. When I had the single shot about two years ago I was told I would not need any boosters in future.

[nomadpete]

Onetrack, I understand your reluctance to have the shingles vaccine.

 

You seem to be outside the average autoimmune curve, in a fortunate way.

 

But the fact that you have avoided a number of other illnesses, does not logically mean that you will never get this one.

 

I look at immunisation as an insurance policy. I had the Shingrix last year.  It cost me nothing, and shingles is an affliction I wish to avoid.

[Marty_d]

Your doctor is recommending it, it's free, prevents a painful illness.

Sounds like an easy choice to me.

[octave]

I would tend to get the vaccine, although I would like to know if you can really get shingles without having had chickenpox.   The thing wth shinlges is it is not so much like covid, where you can not have the vaccine (I am fully vaxxed) and modify your behaviour to reduce your risks. Shingles is more a case of the enemy from within.  My sister in law got shinlges and it wasn't pleasant, but not too bad. However, a friend of a friend got it and it permanently damaged their eye. 

10 hours ago, onetrack said:

So I did the blood test, and sure enough, I'm carrying the Chickenpox antibodies.

I entirely missed this on reading your post OT. This does make sense.   I am guessing there would be many people who have been exposed to chickenpox without significant symptoms.  I will get the vax, however, being under 65 it is a costly affair for the 2 of us.

[old man emu]

An immune system seems to be unique to the individual. Theinformation that health care workers depend on to formulate advice is based on population statistics. What happens to the majority of the population determines the advice given. There will always be outliers from the data. Octave seems to be an outlier. However you have to remember the two parts of statistics - the possibility and the probability. Possibility is our recognition of something happening, while probability is the chance  of it actually happening. 

 

Immunisation is simply a means of reducing the probability of something happening. It is a form of health insurance. If it's free, grab it. Don't forget that on this forum we learn from the experience of our fellows. Listen to what Red and Litespeed said. If we had all our immunisations, we might end up like a wornout pub dart board, but we would not suffer the consequences of the illnesses to the extent that we would if not immunised.

[octave]

11 minutes ago, old man emu said:

Octave seems to be an outlier.

 I am not sure I get your meaning

[old man emu]

No insult. 

 

It's a statistical term. In populatin statistics, if you plot the data you will often get a curve that looks like this:

The graph shows the distribution of results around the "mean" or the value representing the "centre" of a collection of numbers and is intermediate to the extreme values of the set of numbers.  In this diagram 68% of the numbers lie close to the mean value, but a very small percentage lie well away from it. The numbers exist, but the probability of encountering them is low. These numbers are called "outliers". They are the rare ones.

 

If we are looking at those who have contracted chicken pox, then those in the popuolatin who have never contracted it would be make up those numbers whose probability is low.

[octave]

2 minutes ago, old man emu said:

No insult. 

Definitely none taken. 

 

Here is my thought process (specifically for me) I have read that someone my age has around a 10% chance of contracting shingles. One in three of that 10% may get complications.  I have to weigh this against the fact that the vax would cost $250 each, 2 vax required, for my wife and I that is $1000.  If we wait 19 months (and 21 months for my wife), it will be free.  I guess the bet is will get shingles in the next 19 months vs $1000.     

[facthunter]

I've known a few people including my Daughter, who have had it and believe you Me, It's One disease you don't need. You can be disfigured , It's excruciatingly painful and you can lose your eyesight. You are lucky you live in a progressive country where this is available and free.. Doctors know these things  maybe ASK other doctors but don't just presume you are different, Why risk it? Vaccines work. We eliminated Smallpox TB and Polio. Carelessness has allowed the Last two back. Nev

[octave]

20 minutes ago, facthunter said:

You are lucky you live in a progressive country where this is available and free.

Free for over 65s and the immunocompromised. For me, it would be $250 per shot. So far, both of us $1000 or free in just under 2 years.  Probably will do it, but it is a disincentive. 

 

What if I do not qualify for the free vaccine?

If you do not qualify for the free vaccine, you can choose to have the vaccine privately. This is especially beneficial for patients from 50 years and over. HHMP carries private stock of the vaccine, the cost is about $300 per injection and 2 injections are needed between 2-6 months apart.

Edited 3 hours ago by octave

[Litespeed]

Have a ring around to different doctors and chemists.

 

The price may differ greatly, I know it does for other injections.

 

Ie . semiglutimide can be $400 or only $250 at a different chemist.