Shingles!

My doctor’s office called me 10 days ago to tell me they finally got a shipment of Shingrix and I should come in for my second shot (first was in July). I had been concerned that I was reaching the end of the 6 month window, but like @frazzled1’s pharmacist, the doctor told me the guidelines had been amended to allow the second shot up to 12 months after the first. So, I had it last Friday and while the only reaction to the first was a very sore arm for 2 weeks, after the second I had the flu-like reaction described here for about 24 hours and a sore arm. Either way, happy to have finished the sequence.

After calling around this morning, I found a Walgreens that had just gotten a supply in. No co pay and hopeful I’ll feel fine this weekend. This has been on my mind so I’m glad I found it.

First 24 hrs felt normal. Arm was only a little sore. Second 24 hrs I was not ill but had very little energy. All very manageable but glad I had no plans for the weekend.

I am waiting for the second dosage. The first time, both of us felt like a flu hit us for 24 to 48 hours. Next time, I will take ibuprofen after the shot to lessen the side effects. I was told that the younger we are, the stronger we react to the vaccination.

Coming up on 6 months for my 2nd shingrix dose. I talked to doc’s office in late Nov about ordering it. Called once to check in late Dec, and they kind of brushed me off with a “we’ll call you when it is in”. I called to check on Friday, and it appears that they’ve… lost the order. Can’t find it. Quite annoying.

So much for my doctors office calling me to schedule the shot :-? I’ve been on a waiting list since September! My insurance will only cover the shot if I get it at my doctors office.

I can’t remember exactly when, before the holidays? Right after? But I called the office to check and see if I was still on the list and when they thought they’d get the vaccine. They said they had it and someone would be calling me shortly to schedule. Well, they never did and I forgot about it myself. Then with these last couple posts to this thread I kept thinking, I gotta call!

I finally did and got it scheduled for Friday afternoon on my way home from work, since people have been reporting not feeling well afterwards. I figure I’ll have the weekend to recoup.

But now is it ok to take ibuprofen after getting the shot? I think I remember reading different views on that. I’ll ask at the office but wondered what the consensus was?

I did and was glad for it. Just about zero reaction for the second. Lost a few days with the first.

My practitioner confirmed when I asked that it does reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine. She said if I was really miserable to take it, but skip it if I could. I spent the day after (a Saturday) dozing on the couch and felling not great, and my arm was sore, but I got through without it. Having already had shingles definitely gave me incentive to give it the best possible chance to work!

Get the shots as soon as you can! My 86-year old mother (who had the earlier vaccine) was just diagnosed with shingles yesterday and she is miserable. It first presented as a headache and sore neck, so we didn’t catch it until the rash appeared earlier this week. It is so frustrating to know that this new vaccine seems to be so effective but is unavailable for those who need and want it. I finally got both doses and my H is still waiting for his first.

Just checked again the other day—- none in stock.

Ugh. My H had shingles at just 52. They normally don’t give the vaccine until age 60. Should I ask for it sooner?

They changed the age to 50!

Guys I have a bad cold now and am supposed to get my first shot Friday. Should I still?

From the CDC website
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html

“If you have a minor acute (starts suddenly) illness, such as a cold, you may get Shingrix. But if you have a moderate or severe acute illness, you should usually wait until you recover before getting the vaccine. This includes anyone with a temperature of 101.3°F or higher”.

If you had let’s say two shots of Shingrix, how many years until you get another shot?

Another shot of Shingrix?
So far there are no recommendations for booster shots of Shingrix beyond the initial two doses… It is a new immunization and there’s not enough data yet regarding long-term immunity.

@chb088 For the new vaccine, Shingrix, the age has been lowered to 50.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?) I’m not yet 50. But thank you. Someone else had already posted that.

Yes, but they didn’t completely clarify that the old vaccine was 60 (still is, I’d assume), and the new one is the one with 50 as the recommended age.

Costco pharmacy has a cryptic message on their phone about having “adult vaccinations” available.
Not sure what they meant. I have had my two. Doc H has not had either–honestly, forget why as he still works at the clinic where I received mine.