Question About the Shingles Vaccine

[maxaroni]

Wanted to add that you may not be able to get both vaccines at the same time. DH & I recently got our shingles vaccines and DH had to wait 1 month after getting his pneumonia vaccine to be able to get the 2nd vaccine.

 

[JenniBarra]

Will they give it to you if you're younger? I'm 51. I've had two younger sisters get shingles--one was 28 and the other 32 at the time. My 49 year old brother in law got shingles last month as well. Weird--I'd never heard of shingles 10 years ago.

Maybe not through insurance, but you can pay out of pocket at a pharmacy that offers the shots (not cheap, though!) I have heard that some experts are pushing for the recommended age to start at 50, or maybe even younger.

Alas, I am familiar with this scenario because, until I was finally referred to a specialist and got properly diagnosed, I had been suffering shingles flareups (probably stress related) that were affecting my inner ear, resulting in positional vertigo. (I originally was told I was having ear infections, something I'd never had before in my life, even as a kid.) These flareups occurred while I was in my late 30s/early 40s. The ENT suggested getting the shot, though he cautioned that 1) no one knows the effectiveness against flareups in that part of the body, and 2) no one knows how long the protection lasts so I will need to get revaccinated when I reach 60. I felt that taking a chance was better than doing nothing so I paid out of pocket (about $210) and got vaccinated. While I did not get diagnosed until after I left the job that was the main source of my stress (I can actually pinpoint the first episode very directly to a specific thing that happened in my workplace), it has made me aware that I need to be watchful of my personal stress level.

Granted, it's anecdotal, but I have since heard multiple cases of under-60s having shingles. It seems tied to stress and results in flareups that frequently are different than the traditional trunk rash, such as affecting the eyes.

 

[Geoff_M]

Regarding the flu vaccine, I read somewhere that you can shed the virus if you get the flu mist instead of the injection.

If I'm remembering correctly, our pediatrician's office supported this idea.

As mentioned, Flu Mist will not likely be available again this year. But as to the concern about viral shedding from that vaccine, yes you can shed it BUT that live vaccine has been modified such that it cannot live in normal human body temperatures. It can only live in your nose as it is cooler than the rest of your body. The same it true for anyone that might be exposed to any shed virus from the vaccine.

 

[anniemae]

Yes, the mist is a live virus, the shot is not. The mist was ineffective in years past. Our pedi's office did not offer it last year or this year.

 

[amberpi]

DH and I want to get the vaccine now that we've turned 60 (the age when our doctor recommends them). I am 99% sure I had chicken pox, as my Mom said I did. But. What happens if a person gets the vaccine but never did have chicken pox?

And, about the flu shot, I always get mine in October and was going to get it yesterday but we'll be meeting our new great-granddaughter this coming Sunday. She was born September 7th and this is our first chance to meet her so in the back of my mind I was thinking I read somewhere that you shouldn't get the flu shot if you're going to be around newborns, is that correct? I decided to wait until after we meet her. After this Sunday I probably won't have the chance to see her again until about a week before Christmas, so all should be well by that time, right?

You're SO young to have great-grandchildren! Nuts! My folks had their first (and likely only) grandchild at like 65 and they weren't old parents by any stretch, neither was my younger brother. Are you loving it? Are you so excited? My parents were over the moon about my nephew. Is this your first? I bet you're the best looking (and just best) great-grandparent around!

 

[amberpi]

As for the age to get the shot, I was told it varies by state. I wanted to get the shot since I have a compromised immune system. My state only will give the shot if you are over 60. I was told it had nothing to do with insurance as I was willing to pay out of pocket. They physically will not give it to you if you are under 60. Each state sets their own age. Some states will give it between ages 50-59 if you have a doctors note stating you need it. I don't think I have heard of anyone under 50 getting the shot.

They wouldn't give you the shingles shot with a compromised immune system? That's nuts. While I was in the hospital they gave me vaccines for everything in world and I don't have systemic issues.

 

[anniemae]

They wouldn't give you the shingles shot with a compromised immune system? That's nuts. While I was in the hospital they gave me vaccines for everything in world and I don't have systemic issues.

Nope, they said it is a state law. By law they can't give it to you if you are under sixty. Does not matter why you want or need the shot, does not matter if you are wiling to pay out of pocket, you have to be sixty to get it. I called many places and spoke to many medical people and that was what they all told me.

 

[amberpi]

Nope, they said it is a state law. By law they can't give it to you if you are under sixty. Does not matter why you want or need the shot, does not matter if you are wiling to pay out of pocket, you have to be sixty to get it. I called many places and spoke to many medical people and that was what they all told me.

Well, I'm sorry to hear that! What poopy heads.

 

[MIGrandma]

You're SO young to have great-grandchildren! Nuts! My folks had their first (and likely only) grandchild at like 65 and they weren't old parents by any stretch, neither was my younger brother. Are you loving it? Are you so excited? My parents were over the moon about my nephew. Is this your first? I bet you're the best looking (and just best) great-grandparent around!

LOL!! My husband and I got married right out of high school, we were both barely 18. And we had our son at 18 and daughter at 20 years old. Our son and his girlfriend (later, his first wife) had their first child when he was only 17 and a senior in high school. It was a difficult situation, but turned out fine in the long run. Our 21-year-old grandson was the one who made us great-grandparents. And, as a matter of fact, we finally got to meet our sweet great-granddaughter JUST this afternoon!! I was over-the-moon to sit and hold her, she is adorable I must say! She was only 5 lb. 8 oz. when she was born and unfortunately has acid reflux. She is 5 weeks old and has only managed to gain about a pound. She is so teeny tiny, but just a little sweet doll. My mom passed away in July and I had been really hoping she could "hold on" long enough to meet her great-great granddaughter but it wasn't meant to be, that was the only sadness I felt this afternoon while holding her. We did get a nice 5-generation photo with the baby, her daddy, our son, my husband and his Dad as well.

 

[amberpi]

LOL!! My husband and I got married right out of high school, we were both barely 18. And we had our son at 18 and daughter at 20 years old. Our son and his girlfriend (later, his first wife) had their first child when he was only 17 and a senior in high school. It was a difficult situation, but turned out fine in the long run. Our 21-year-old grandson was the one who made us great-grandparents. And, as a matter of fact, we finally got to meet our sweet great-granddaughter JUST this afternoon!! I was over-the-moon to sit and hold her, she is adorable I must say! She was only 5 lb. 8 oz. when she was born and unfortunately has acid reflux. She is 5 weeks old and has only managed to gain about a pound. She is so teeny tiny, but just a little sweet doll. My mom passed away in July and I had been really hoping she could "hold on" long enough to meet her great-great granddaughter but it wasn't meant to be, that was the only sadness I felt this afternoon while holding her. We did get a nice 5-generation photo with the baby, her daddy, our son, my husband and his Dad as well.

That post just made me smile so hard! I remembered you losing your mom and I kinda figured you'd be besotted by the new little one! And meh, sometimes things are hard, but what a lovely family you have now! Happy for you! Enjoy all those babies, big and small!

 

[PlainJane]

I was the ripe old age of 10 when I got shingles. It was on a joint and the doctors could not figure out a diagnosis because I didn’t fit the perfect textbook description (10 year olds aren’t supposed to get it and it’s not supposed to happen on joints). I suffered for weeks before my dad figured it out and the doctor’s agreed with him. I don’t know what level of severity I was because the pediatricians treating me barely knew anything about it.

Hopefully, they expand prevention methods to younger age groups. I still remember it feeling like knives were stabbing me when I would bend my elbow. It is good to learn that it’s still worthwhile to get the vaccine down the road even though I’ve already had it.

Congratulations on your great-grand baby!

 

[aprilgail]

you can just get a blood test to see if you have had the chicken pox or not- at my last annual blood work they checks all my titers to make sure I still had immunity- my chicken pox vaccine had worn off so I needed to get a new one of those.

 

[maxaroni]

As for getting the shingles vaccine, at least in our experience (NJ), DH and I got them this past summer. Our doctors do not give them and recommend going to a minute clinic or pharmacy. However, we need a script from the doctor in order to get them. Not like a flu vaccine, jo

 

[maxaroni]

you can just get a blood test to see if you have had the chicken pox or not- at my last annual blood work they checks all my titers to make sure I still had immunity- my chicken pox vaccine had worn off so I needed to get a new one of those.

That was something I got when I was pregnant with DS. I knew I had the chicken pox but the Dr. Does the blood test routinely with newly pregnant moms.

 

[anniemae]

As for getting the shingles vaccine, at least in our experience (NJ), DH and I got them this past summer. Our doctors do not give them and recommend going to a minute clinic or pharmacy. However, we need a script from the doctor in order to get them. Not like a flu vaccine, jo

If you don't mind my asking, are you between the ages of 50-59? I was told some states will allow you to get the vaccine with a doctors script between these ages. Some states you have to be sixty, they will not allow you to get it under age sixty regardless of a dr. script, and if you are sixty or older, not doctor script required. Most dr. offices don't carry this vaccine because of the way it has to be stored. You have to go to a clinic.

 

[maxaroni]

From what I have heard, I agree that many doctors offices do not carry the shingles vaccine. I believe it needs to be frozen, but not positive.

I am 61 and called my doctors office to see about it, was told they do not carry it but sent me a script to have it at the pharmacy. My DH was 65 at the time, called his doctor and told they didn't have it and sent a script to get it done at the pharmacy. The pharmacy asked each of us for the script.

My boss had shingles last year and in his early 40s. His wife was able to get the vaccine, in her early 40s, don't know specifics about her.

 

[maxaroni]

@anniemae forgot to quote your post but did respond to you

 

[MIGrandma]

Got my flu shot today, AND the shingles vaccination too. I asked if I could have them BOTH today, or if I had to wait and was told at the pharmacy that I could have them both so I did.

Insurance paid, so that's a bonus as I know the shingles shots are expensive.

I did ask the pharmacist how long it would last, if I'd ever need a booster, etc. and she said the initial shot is all a person needs.

She did say I might develop a chicken pox-like rash at the site of the shot, and if I do just to keep it covered.

DH is going to get HIS flu shot AND shingles shot Sunday, then we'll be all set!!

 

[runwad]

From the CDC:
Zostavax, the shingles vaccine, reduced the risk of shingles by 51% and the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia by 67% based on a large study of more than 38,000 adults aged 60 years or older. Protection from shingles vaccine lasts about 5 years.

While the vaccine was most effective in people 60 through 69 years old, it also provides some protection for people 70 years old and older.

Adults vaccinated before age 60 years might not be protected later in life when the risk for shingles and its complications are greatest.

^I wonder why that is? Yet MIGrandma said she went and got her's today and won't need another??

I'm 51 and asked last year at my doc appt and got the same it's not covered till 60. Maybe I'll call my insurance and just see how much it is. I can put the amount in my FSA account for next year. I'd rather pay and be protected than go thru the agony of having shingles that I've seen others go thru. But I wonder when I'd need a booster then?

 

[gemini2727]

There is a booster shingles vaccine in the works, but it's not approved yet...

From Consumer Reports:

"So why wait until age 60? The risk of shingles rises with age—possibly as a result of a weakened immune system—so it's best to get the vaccine at age 60 or later, when you're most likely to need it. The current shingles vaccine's effectiveness begins to wane after just five years and no booster is currently licensed, though research is actively underway. Additionally, a two-dose shingles vaccine that may offer significantly more protection is in the works though not yet approved.
Also be aware that the current shingles vaccine is not always well-covered by insurance. And it's pricey, $200 or more, so check your insurance so that you're prepared."