Shingles Vaccination

[pjm-7]

I got the shingles vaccine a couple of years ago at age 54 (when I was still working) for free through my company's health clinic. I had no reaction to the vaccine. I've known too many people who have had shingles and definitely wanted to avoid it.

Even if someone has never had chicken pox I think that they should look into the vaccine. It was about a year ago that Barbara Walters got the chicken pox at age 83 because it was passed from someone else to her. If people do not vaccinate their children they could also spread something to you. It is because of this I got a whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine through the company's free clinic before I retired since I have never had whooping cough.

 

[Mulligan]

I was just reading today the local newspaper "Dr. Keith Roach" column. It discussed the shingle vaccination as a lady said she wanted it but couldn't afford the $249 cost. Dr. Roach responded that Merck has a rebate program that covers most of the cost for people who do not have insurance that covers it. You can find more info at rebate4zostavax.com or call 1-888-967-8246. You pay for the vaccine then get your rebate. These war stories sound bad...I think I will do it within the next couple years and get it done before 55.


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[Meadbh]

I'm 54 and my mother swears up and down that I never had the chicken pox. My doctor would not give me the shingles vaccine but next week when I see him he's going to order a blood test that will determine if I did have chicken pox.

My wife is 52 and she has NOT had the chicken pox. Both of our children had chicken pox when they were younger and my wife was not affected.

Mike

Many people have had asymptomatic, unrecognized infection with the herpes zoster virus. They remain susceptible to shingles in later life. The antibody test will tell the real story. As for DW, if she did not catch chickenpox when the kids had it, the probability is that she too had an asymptomatic infection in the past and developed antibodies.

 

[Alan]

Can you get shingles twice? Mr. A. has had them already (no pain, just a hideous oozing rash, which cleared up quickly with medication).

Amethyst

My sister has had it twice, although she said the second time was not nearly as bad as the first time. She is only 43.

Many people have had asymptomatic, unrecognized infection with the herpes zoster virus. They remain susceptible to shingles in later life. The antibody test will tell the real story. As for DW, if she did not catch chickenpox when the kids had it, the probability is that she too had an asymptomatic infection in the past and developed antibodies.

Both our kids had chickenpox but DW didn't get it and was 'sure' that she and her sister had never had it despite their mother sending them to chickenpox parties. She finally got it in her early 30's and she called her sister to cancel her trip for a planned visit that week. Her sister said to come anyway because her kids hadn't had chickenpox yet. After DW visited her sister she and her kids all got chickenpox.

 

[Ronnieboy]

I had a very mild case of shingles immediately after I had a flu shot. As it turned out, flu shot sometimes has shingles vaccine in it. But when I went to my doctor, he absolutely refuted that the flu shot I had shingles vaccine in it. I left it at that. Either I was really lucky to have a mild case of shingles, or I was reacting to a flu shot with shingles vaccine in it. I'd never know.

Flu shot and Zostavax are definitely two separate vaccines. While the flu shot will have 3 to 4 different strains of flu it will not have shingles vaccine in it. The shingles vaccine is live and has to be kept frozen in powder form till reconstituted and used within 20 minutes. Flu tends to be in the muscle (now nasally and intradermal) vs. subcutaneous for the shingles. Not to mention the price of $200 for shingles and $15 for flu.

 

[Meadbh]

As it turned out, flu shot sometimes has shingles vaccine in it.

Despite being a retired physician, I like to keep learning. Can you provide a peer reviewed reference for the above statement, robnplunder?

 

[Ronnieboy]

Two days and no reaction to the shot, so I guess it is working. Even the 50% reduction number I said above seem suspicious. How would you determine that? Not everyone gets shingles so how do you know if the vaccination gives you a 50% reduction? Not complaining mind you-anything, even a placebo, would be worth it to stave off that pain my wife went through

Typical reaction, if there is one, is itching at the site of injection and maybe a headache. Less than 1 in 3 get a reaction.

The vaccine is supposed to give you a 50% reduction in the rash (even if you do get the rash it is supposed to be less severe, not sure how you can gage that...) and up to 90% reduction in getting the post rash pain.

I plan on getting mine at 50 and that will be the wife's B-day present in 2015

 

[aja8888]

I am a little confused after reading most of this thread. I have never had the shingles vaccine. I have not had shingles. I am well over 60 and have no way to find out from existing family if I ever had Chicken Pox as a kid. Parents are dead, one sister left and she don't recall if I had CP.

Should I just get the vaccine knowing the above? Any suggestions?

 

[Meadbh]

I am a little confused after reading most of this thread. I have never had the shingles vaccine. I have not had shingles. I am well over 60 and have no way to find out from existing family if I ever had Chicken Pox as a kid. Parents are dead, one sister left and she don't recall if I had CP.

Should I just get the vaccine knowing the above? Any suggestions?

Please see the recommendations from the CDC below. You appear to fall into the category of "all adults without evidence of immunity" and are therefore a candidate to receive the varicella vaccine.

http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2011.pdf

For future reference, many questions regarding infectious diseases can be researched at the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) website.

 

[aja8888]

Please see the recommendations from the CDC below. You appear to fall into the category of "all adults without evidence of immunity" and are therefore a candidate to receive the varicella vaccine.

http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2011.pdf

For future reference, many questions regarding infectious diseases can be researched at the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) website.

Thanks for the info and reference.

Tony

 

[Ronnieboy]

I am a little confused after reading most of this thread. I have never had the shingles vaccine. I have not had shingles. I am well over 60 and have no way to find out from existing family if I ever had Chicken Pox as a kid. Parents are dead, one sister left and she don't recall if I had CP.

Should I just get the vaccine knowing the above? Any suggestions?

General consensus is that anyone born before 1985 IIRC, has either been exposed or had the chicken pox whether they remember they had them or showed symptoms.

Ask the Experts about Shingles (Zoster) Vaccines - CDC experts answer Q&As

Oops, Meadbh beat me to it.

 

[Meadbh]

No problem Ronnieboy, your link is more user friendly anyhow.

 

[Golden sunsets]

Can you get shingles twice? Mr. A. has had them already (no pain, just a hideous oozing rash, which cleared up quickly with medication).

Amethyst

Yes-Yes. I've had shingles twice. The first time I was in my early forties. Had the rash on my torso and once I started the medication it cleared up within days. That was 25 years ago. Three years ago in January I asked my GP at my annual physical if I should have the shot( I was over 60). He said that because I had already had it I did not need the shot as the antibodies from the bout with shingles would protect me. Two months later when I was on my winter sojourn south of the border I developed shingles again this time on my scalp and extending down my forehead and eyelids. Extremely painful with a migraine that lasted for a week until the antiviral drugs kicked in. I did make a full recovery fortunately but the pain was agony. The next time I saw my GP, he said that apparently the 40 year protection that one gets after shingles only lasts 20-25 years in my case and he advised me to have a shingles shot when I reach 80. I have always been healthy otherwise so I have to conclude that one never knows.

I have since become a walking advertisement for the vaccine.

 

[Live Free]

When we immunized my DS for chicken pox (required in our school district), he got a few pox on his belly... and DH got a really bad case of chicken pox. His mom thought he had it as a kid, but I don't think so.

I had shingles as baby - my mom said the doctors' took pictures of it as it wasn't (isn't?) common in babies. Of course I don't remember this, but my mom swears it was the worst month of her life dealing with a crying baby that could not be soothed. Hopefully I won't get it again. Going to ask the doctor about getting the vaccine at my next check-up!

 

[MissMolly]

When I was at the grocery yesterday (before this thread started) I remembered I hadn't gotten my shot since I turned 60 back in November. I stopped by the pharmacy and asked if they gave shingles shots and they did. I asked if I needed a prescription, and they said as long as I am over 60 they have a standing order with all the doctors to give the shots. The pharmacist said she could give it right away, so I got one. Insurance paid 100%. Came home and reminded my DH he never got his. He just got back from going to the grocery and his insurance paid 100%. My point being, you may not have to wait to go to the doctor. It's possible you can just go to the pharmacy and get one.

 

[zinger1457]

From what I've read about the shingles vaccine the known duration of the effectiveness of the shingles vaccine is only 4-5 years, beyond that no one knows. There are studies currently being conducted to try and determine what the actual duration effectiveness is. Anyone have more current information? For those who got the vaccine, do you plan on getting another shot in a few years? I live in a rural area and I'm guessing because of the difficulties in storing the vaccine it seems to be in short supply, the few places (pharmacies, clinics) that I've found that do offer the vaccine also have a minimum age limit of 60 (I'm 56).

 

[ivinsfan]

I'm starting to feel perturbed that I had to pay 90 bucks for mine, with insurance. I didn't question the co-pay at the time because I knew it was a pretty expensive vaccine.

Got it at Walgreens, I don't know if getting it at a regular doctor visit would have made it cheaper.

 

[travelover]

..........
It's possible you can just go to the pharmacy and get one.

I got one at Walgreens at age 59 years and 11 months with no prescription, but had to fight with the pharmacist because I was "too young".

 

[omni550]

Before getting my shingles vaccine a few years ago, I called my insurance company to verify if they would pay for it. They said, "Yes, but only if administered at a doctor's office." The vaccine was on backorder by the manufacturer and it took about 6 weeks for the doctor's office to get it. When I went in to for the shot, the nurse administered it and I had no aftereffects.

Now, as my friends turn 60, I usually send them an email reminder to get a shingles shot.

omni

 

[audreyh1]

In TX you don't need a doctor's prescription to get the shingles vaccine. Just go to the pharmacy. Same with a flu shot.

There is usually a "bit of discussion" if you are under 60.

 

[Texas Proud]

Yes, it can be hard to find someone who will give it to you if you are under 50... I just called around until I found a Walgreen's that said they would... so if you want one, just call around and ask...

As to the life of the shot... I have no idea, but the pharmacist told me to get another in 10 years...

 

[frank]

mulligan: I read the vaccination rebate terms and conditions. I was wondering if you think I can get it? I am 67, have medicare a and b, medicare part d. don't use any drugs so they want 195 dollars at the drug stores, I also have an hmo at a local hospital for a supplement. let me know what you think thanks

frank

 

[aja8888]

mulligan: I read the vaccination rebate terms and conditions. I was wondering if you think I can get it? I am 67, have medicare a and b, medicare part d. don't use any drugs so they want 195 dollars at the drug stores, I also have an hmo at a local hospital for a supplement. let me know what you think thanks

frank

Frank, call the Medicare folks and ask them directly. My bet is you can get it as part of your annual preventive check up. That's how I got my pneumonia shot last year.

 

[oldtrig]

I am 66 and got one last year and I had to pay $55. Walgreen give me mine. I had a small reaction from the shot but nothing bad. Just a large red spot that lasted about a month. I did feel a little different after the shot but it passed after about an hour. They made me wait until I felt 100%. My neighbor had the shingles. He is a year older than me and he said get the shot. He still has problems and it has been 15 months since he came down with the disease. He told me it was the worst thing he has even had happen to him. I have enough problems as it is and sure did not want the shingles. oldtrig

 

[Mulligan]

mulligan: I read the vaccination rebate terms and conditions. I was wondering if you think I can get it? I am 67, have medicare a and b, medicare part d. don't use any drugs so they want 195 dollars at the drug stores, I also have an hmo at a local hospital for a supplement. let me know what you think thanks

frank

I would go with Aja's suggestion. I was just passing on the info I read and am not familiar with any of it. Though after reading about this, I damn sure positive I don't want any shingles!


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