You are likely to keep the dominant arm in more movement which may help alleviate soreness. The extra movement of the arm will help work the vaccine into the muscle faster.
I consider myself pretty lucky. Had my first shoe shortly before COVID and the 2nd mid summer. No side effects from either. Glad it’s done and grateful. Been bugging my H to get his - he had the old vaccine a few years ago and has been encouraged to do the 2 step. Little pain for lots of gain in not getting shingles!
Finally got my second Shingrix shot last week. I’d had my appointment to get #2 cancelled twice because the pharmacies were only giving immunization for pneumonia and flu unless one was a new or expectant parent.
The first shot laid me low for 3 days–fever, chills, headache, general malaise. I was very apprehensive about getting the second. Second also cause negative reactions–headache, chills, stiff neck & shoulders, and a new symptom–pain in my joints. My knees and hips hurt so bad the first morning after the shot, I could barely walk. This time the symptoms only lasted 2 days. BFD. But at least it’s done.
Got my flu shot earlier this week. Piece of cake!
Still need to get my second Hep A, but that’s not due for another couple of weeks.
Got my Shingrix and flu vaccine Saturday. So far sore arm is the only real side effect. Perhaps, a bit more general malaise, but in covid times, who knows?
Was a bit annoyed that my insurance kept turning down the flu vaccine ($19.99) but paying for the Shringrix ($171.52). After 90 minutes!!!, we finally got it sorted out. For the flu shot to get through the system, it must be submitted as a 30 day supply, not a 1 day supply.
If you have the same BCBS as me, maybe that tidbit will save you an hour.
I’m glad the CostCo pharmicists were persistent, but I might have traded the $40 due for DW and my vaccines for the 90 minutes at a store. I was afraid I might have been acting a but too entitled if I did that.
My grandfather got shingles way back when. Unfortunately, it permanently, burned (don’t know if that is the correct description) one side of his face. Half of his face was always bright red. As long as I knew him, he was on medication and you couldn’t touch that side of his face as the pain would be excruciating. We always knew to only kiss Poppop on the one side. He passed away at 78 and we all just felt he had become worn out from the constant pain.
I wouldn’t hesitate to get the vaccine.
@Dave_N darn, I read your post too late.
I went to Target CVS where they told me my Medicare Advantage PPO didn’t cover their shot. I have a very good plan that is supposed to cover me anywhere they take Medicare or Medicare assignment. Oh well…I just left.
Went to Walgreens. Woman there had no trouble, flu shot was fully covered. $0 cost to me. So I got the shot there.
I could have gotten it at my doctors office but when I was there, I forgot to ask…
I got both Shingrix shots done this spring/summer. Relieved to have it done. I had soreness in my arm each time, not terrible, but enough to make it uncomfortable to sleep on that side, so I would suggest putting it in the arm you don’t like to sleep on. With the second shot, I also had a headache the next day, but it was not bad…just noticeable because I very seldom get headaches.
I am trying to figure out a convenient time to get the flu shot this week. I have gotten so used to not going out.
It also occurred to me that I got one dose of Hepatitus A vaccine two years ago before a trip, on the theory that even one dose provides quite a bit of protection, but I didn’t have time to get the second one before the trip. And then somehow I forgot all about it! Maybe I should get the second dose now! I know someone who was very sick with Hep A this year, who had only traveled between California and Hawaii.
Just got flu and shingles shots. I’ve put it off too long but when my sis recently got shingles it lit a fire under me to go get it over with. Now to wait to see if I have any side effects coming my way. Hard to imagine anything would be as bad as my sis is suffering through.
You are fortunate that Shingrix is available. Shingrix still isn’t available in the country where we live even though it was approved over 3 years ago in the US. It sounds like Shingrix is much more effective than Zostavax.
Currently debating whether to get Zostavax now or wait until we’re in the US to get Shingrix (cost would be the same in either country due to age). Our friends in America seem to get Shingrix around age 50 - is that typical or on the early side?
H and I had our shingles shot, but I learned something interesting that may apply to our kids in the future.
I have 5 kids - 3 (2 oldest and the youngest) had the actual chicken pox, while the 3rd and 4th got the varicella immunization. Youngest got the pox at 8 months - too young for the vaccine. Anyway, the pharmacist told me that, as of now, they don’t anticipate that people who had the chicken pox shot will need to get the shingles vaccine. I told my kids (it’s still 25 years in the future, but still). It’s something to tell our kids to keep in mind in case we aren’t here to remind them when the time comes.
@lvgnzl insurance will pay for Shingrix for people who are 50 or older. I think people should get it as young as possible. My husband got shingles at 40. It was horrible - he thought he was having a heart attack, the pain was so bad.
Shingrix is recommended for age 50+, while Zostavax was recommended for age 60+ (although allowed for age 50-59).
Regarding getting Shingrix after getting Zostavax, https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/hcp/shingrix/faqs.html says “Studies confirmed that Shingrix was safe and immunogenic when administered 5 or more years after Zostavax. Intervals shorter than 5 years have not been studied. However, there are no data or theoretical concerns to indicate Shingrix would be less safe or effective when given less than 5 years after Zostavax. You may consider an interval shorter than 5 years, especially if your patient was >70 years old when they received Zostavax. Wait a minimum of 8 weeks after a person received Zostavax to give Shingrix.”
The chicken pox immunization was fairly new when I was asked if I wanted D to get it. The decision was immediately made when I was told that the shot seemed to significantly reduce the risk of shingles later in life. (Was it Japan that had already been using it for years?) A family member had a horrible case of shingles.
I got the first Shingrix shot a couple months ago, with only slight achiness in my arm.
I need to go look up the immunization records of my kids. I think they were right in the middle back then. Another good reason for “anti-vaxxers” to come to their senses.
I don’t remember them ever having chicken pox although my oldest may have. I think my youngest got immunized for sure.
Got my shots–flu in one arm and shingrix in the other. The shots didn’t hurt at all but my arms are sore today but going away I think. Told by pharmacist to put Shingrix in NON dominant arm which I’m glad I did. But on the internet someone said put it in the side you don’t sleep on which I think is the best advice of all (both the same for me).
Publix grocery just started on-line appointments for flu shots a few days ago. You fill out the paperwork on-line and schedule a time. That way (hopefully) the paperwork is done and everything ready to go when you arrive. Lot less waiting. Gonna try that with my dad.
@MaineLonghorn and @ucbalumnus
Thank you - sounds like it we should get Zostavax now while we can in this country and follow-up with Shingrix when we’re back in America. We’ll make an appointment soon!
Note that Zostavax has been discontinued in the US, probably because of low demand (everyone wants Shingrix instead).
Just got both second shingles shot and fly shot last Friday. After first shingles shot I had no issues, but my arm is still red today from second shot. It’s still very tender to touch also. I’m glad I waited for a time I didn’t have much going on.
I had the shingles shot last Friday. My arm still feels sore. No other symptoms, and so worth the discomfort.
@99Techmom I had to re-read your post. Yes, I believe it is having chickenpox (usually as a young child) that puts us at risk of shingles later in life. So if a child never had chickenpox due to having the vaccine then I guess they will not be at risk of shingles.
A few years ago I read about the upcoming shingrix vaccine that was going to be 90% effective. At that time I declined to take the Zoster shot which is only around 50% effective and decided to wait for Shingrix. My doctor agreed that was a reasonable strategy for me. I have since received both of my Shingrix shots.
I got the first injection a week ago. My arm hurt really bad for two days, slightly sore on the third. My husband had shingles at 28 and it was really painful. His brother got it in or near his eyes and that was scary and painful. I’ll take a sore arm any day.
I forgot to mention this, but the CVS pharmacist told me to ask my MD if I needed a second shot. Her thinking was that I had the other shot a few years ago, so a third shot may not be necessary.