Hi @dewz13 It’s not unusual for blood numbers to fluctuate when we receive vaccines. Most people aren’t even aware this is happening or that it’s a natural response from our immune system as it makes the antibodies to help protect us in the future from things like Shingles, measles, tetanus, flu, etc.. But when we have a blood condition or blood cancer we have more frequent labs and these number changes show up in our results. For most people, numbers climb back to normal within a couple of weeks.

Having recently been diagnosed with ET (essential thrombocythemia) your immune system may not be as robust as it was before this condition developed. So it’s vitally important to receive vaccinations and to stay updated with them to help your immune system fend off an illness. Especially conditions such as shingles. Vaccines, while they can’t always prevent an illness, they can help lessen the intensity should you be exposed.

From my own experince, it’s helpful after the injection to place an ice pack on your arm for 20 minutes or so. It’s reminiscent of a tetanus vaccine. The arm can get a little tender, warm and stiff for a day or so. But again, that’s a normal response. Let me know how it goes for you!