Shingles Vaccination Zostavax

[Aircooledfool]

I have already been jabbed 5 times for covid and plain old fashioned flu. I got a summons for another vaccination this time against shingles . Although I fully support the covid vacs, I am beginning to wonder about this . No I don’t think they will inject me with microchips, but as I have never had chicken pox how necessary is this?
Any views will be appreciated
TIA

[Zacs-Master]

'Do I need the shingles vaccine if I've never had chickenpox?
Yes. The chances are that you have had chickenpox at some point without knowing it. Some people have chickenpox without displaying any of the typical chickenpox symptoms, such as a rash.'

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/shingles-vaccine-questions-and-answers/#:~:text=Do%20I%20need%20the%20shingles,symptoms%2C%20such%20as%20a%20rash.

[bhg481]

I've never knowingly had chicken pox or any other infectious diseases to my knowledge even though our daughter had the full set. On those grounds I refused the shingles vaccine one year but then accepted it the following year. I didn't use to bother with the 'flu vaccine on the grounds that I never caught anything but I do now on the grounds that disease resistance decreases with age and as a 70+ I think the vaccine is a good idea.

[jno]

the shingles vaccination is a one-off, usually when you're 70. People who've had shingles say it can be agonising (though it wasn't when I had it in my 40s or thereabouts); so I'd choose to have it, and did.

[jno]

bhg, I've never knowingly had chicken pox either. But when I said as much to my sister she said "Oh yes you did, when you were seven". She had our mother's medical diary, which listed everything her kids ever had; but I'd totally forgotten.

[Aircooledfool]

Sacs
Thankyou for the link, although I have already read it. Perhaps I could have constructed the question more succinctly. My concern is really about the multiplicity of vaccinations and the downside of any interactions. I think it would be very unusual to be dangerously ill from shingles . I know “the chances are” I may have had chicken pox, but what are the chances really? 1 in 5 MAY have had it without knowing , but how many of those go on to get shingles, and what are the outcomes ? Maybe I am making something out of nothing , but I grew up at a time when doctors and the NHS were revered and always knew best , that is no longer the case. I know from experience that they are sometimes wrong. Should I just cave in and line up with the other lambs, in silence? Or should I take my chances ?

[Zacs-Master]

Completely up to you ACfool. You have all the info to hand. No one can make that decision for you.

[perseverer]

My wife had shingles in her back 4 1/2 years ago. She still regularly gets severe post-herpetic neuralgia (nerve pain) in that skin area, sometimes so bad that she can't have clothes touching that area. So she would encourage anyone to get the vaccine, unless they had specific immune deficiency problems.

[Rosetta]

Shingles can be very painful and it can take while to go. My OH had occular shingles and it took a couple of years to get rid of all the symptoms completely. I had the vaccination when offered and there were no inter-reactions with either covid or flu jabs

[Sqad]

Almost everyone has had chicken pox and as such likely to develop shingles in later life.
I have no idea what percentage develop shingles.
No you don't die of shingles and the main problem is the "post herpetic neuralgia, described above by perseverer.......it really is painful.

Your choice aircooled....Russian roulette.

[roopower]

I had a one off shingles vaccination when I was 70. I'm not sure if I had chickenpox as a child, I had one suspect spot but as mu mum and sister both had it, dr thought I did too. I'm absolutely sure I do not want shingles having aquaintances who have gone through hell with it.

[Canary42]

My sister-in-law experienced post herpetic neuralgia. Not something I would ever want.

[Aircooledfool]

Thanks all for your answers, even the one suggesting a “deer hunter” type outcome via a bad decision. Looks like I will have to go with the consensus, at least then if it all goes *** up I can blame the consensus. Thank you all again

[bobbinwales]

Or you could always ask your GP (if you can get a slot) as they know your history and the science- maybe just a phone consultation

[Maydup]

The Shingles Vaccination is not new, but introduced 10 years ago. Was that when, in your words, the NHS knew best?

[jourdain2]

Absolutely your choice, of course.
I developed shingles after a trip to Thailand in 2019 (probably got it on the plane). It was a very horrible disease and the pain was acute and long lasting, enough to make me cry. It took a full 7 or 8 weeks to pass. I booked a Shingles vaccination for 2 days after my 70th birthday.

[jourdain2]

^^^ Otherwise, I'm wary of unnecessary vaccines although I always have a 'flu jab. I've had it this year, but it hasn't worked this time and I'm a long time 'pulling round' after it. A man in the village started with 'flu on Christmas day and died on 28/12. He was younger than me and usually healthy.

[Ellipsis]

> I have no idea what percentage develop shingles.

Just googling around, approx 25% (UK) to 33% (USA)

[Ellipsis]

> Just googling around, approx 25% (UK) to 33% (USA)

Sorry, a bit more detail ... people who reached adulthood got shingles at least once in their lifetime at those kind of rates.

[Peter Pedant]

completely up to you ACfool. You have all the info to hand. No one can make that decision for you.

completely agree
if you doan wan it doan have it - have people died from shingles? o god someone must have ( immunosuppressed) but not many.

You dont have to trumpet: I am not having shingles because my dongles may droop ( foo-foos fall off)

just dont have it

you havent been summonsed by the way: invited.

( DOI ex Porton Down, v keen on vaccines)

[Peter Pedant]

I'm wary of unnecessary vaccines
vaccines arent un-necessary
well whaddya know?

what about Rabies, tularaemia or Ebola? not on offer.