Shingrix is getting positive press in the Catholic world as a more ethical alternative to Zostavax.
I’m just putting this out there for informational purposes so people who might be interested can look into it, not to start a debate.
My D had shingles as a young child—believe she was 13. H had his years AFTER having zostervax but before Shingrix was available. It was years after D had her bout.
I am glad I and H and my folks got both doses of Shingrix 2 months apart. Both H and D were very miserable with their “mild” cases. Everyone I know who has had shingles was varying degrees of miserable.
Too many people I know have had Shingles and I’ve hear the impact can be long lasting. I got the Zostavax at 54 and just got my first Shringrix vaccine at 58. Both were administered at Walter Reed. They no longer stock Zostavax due to the higher reliability of the Shringrix vaccine.
I’m also a pharmacist. I put off the first one when my insurance wouldn’t cover then put it off waiting for the new one. Went ahead with new one just before I went COBRA (early retirement). Fortunately insurance covered. I was fortunate.
I had a friend who got shingles in her eye and almost lost her sight. I went home and got the vaccine even though it wasn’t covered by my insurance because I wasn’t old enough. I haven’t gotten the newer version though.
My insurance company would not cover the vaccine until age 60. Both H and I got it as soon as we were covered.
Ironically I have 2 friends who have had shingles and both were in their 50’s at the time so they hadn’t gotten the vaccine. Both reported it is very painful.
My brother-in-law came down with shingles on his 50th birthday (what a gift 8-| ) and while on a business trip. Very painful and unpleasant. My doctor just told me she is seeing more cases in younger adults, 20s–40s, than she had previously. I believe Lin Manuel Miranda just had shingles and he is in his 30s. He had to stay with his parents while recovering as his younger son was only a few weeks old.
I self-paid for zostervax at age 50. It was $185 2well-spent for my peace of mind; no regrets. I tried to get insurer to reimburse but no dice as CDC wasn’t yet recommending it for under age 60. They since did lower age to 50, but after I had paid for my shot.
Had a mild case in my late 40s. Rash/blisters on my side/abdomen. A maddening, burning itch.
My husband had shingles 10 years after getting the chickenpox vaccine as an adult. Always a risk with live virus vaccines, but probably preferable to getting chickenpox as an adult. Need to find out if our HMO will cover the new vaccine even though we’ve already received Zostavax.
How often should kids who received the chickenpox vaccine get boosters? Based on my husband’s experience, anyone who received the live virus chickenpox vaccine may also want to consider the shingles vaccine as an adult.
I got the first dose of Shingrix last month. I have never had any reaction to any vacinnation before this, but wow! This vaccination hurt! I could feel it spreading as it was being injected. My arm hurt, and I felt as though I was coming down with something (muscle and joint aches) for a couple of days. The tech who gave me the shot made it very clear that a large number of people get a reaction to one or the other dose of this vacine.
It is worth a couple days of a slight vacine reaction to avoid shingles! I know so many people who have had a miserable time dealing with shingles lately.
My H had shingles in his thirties - we always blamed it on the stress of visiting Disney World! He had a “mild” case; at first, he though it was just bug bites but the blistering and pain convinced him otherwise. His doctor told him it wasn’t that uncommon for young people to get it too.
I had the old vaccine when I turned 50 but I’m thinking about getting the new vaccine too.
@momsquad, our insurer and Medicare both covered both the Zostervax AND Shingrix @ 100%. H, my folks and I have had both. (I did self-pay for the Zostervax because I was only 50 when I got it and CDC wasn’t yet recommending it for folks that young.) I’d call your HMO and check. You can also check with the pharmacy you plan to get the vaccine at, as they should also know.
In our case, the pharmacy mistakenly charged us $30 apiece for my folks’ Shingrix vaccines and then refunded it when I told them that insurer said it was 100% covered.
I’ve had it twice. First time: stress at work caused it at age 35. Second time I was 46 and I got it on vacation in Hawaii. @scout59 those vacations really do bring do bring out the stress, don’t they?
First bout (underarm, chest) was excruciating, but cleared up in a few days with medicine. Second bout (stomach area) was painful but not nearly so bad as the first time. Medication again cleared it up in a few days.
H had shingles 9 months ago. It was pretty bad but he didn’t miss work. He did work from home. I’d gladly take the vaccine.
younger sister is a cancer survivor and has a compromised immune system. wonder if that plays into her shingles around her hawaiian trip as well; and most recently Hand Foot and Mouth disease from her South American trip. ??? i think i’ll look into the vaccination tomorrow.
Developed this issue in my mid 40’s. Started with the bumps on my stomach and back. Went to the doctor the same day I noticed and started treatment immediately before it increased.
My D has a weak immune system, as do H and I. When we get sick, we stay dick for a LONG time. 
I like doing what i can to minimize my chances of getting a bad case of shingles, considering how painful the “mild” cases were.
I had the Shigrex and was one of the outliers, I had a fever and chills and aches. I scheduled my second shot when my DH was out of town, despite Advil, I still moaned, out loud, all night the second night. Definitely a Friday in case you are one of the one percenters!
I know this is a serious subject, but the very happy Tigger avatar next to this thread looks like it is advertising something really fun — “Shingles!” — yay!