@dianeholsborg Hi Diane, I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling so miserable after your flu and shingles shots yesterday. Raising my hand in empathy. I reacted the same way. Because of a bone marrow transplant, I had to start all over with vaccines from childhood/adolescent/adult. Some days my arms and body felt like I’d been pummeled by a baseball bat. But it’s so important for us to help keep our immune systems ready to defend us. If you’ve had chemo, then your body is already immune compromised so this is doubly important to protect against shingles.

It’s not unusual to have mild to moderate flu-like symptoms in response to the shingles shot. It’s given in two doses to help ramp up the immune system in defenses against shingles.

The first dose primes the immune system, while the second dose boosts the immune response. According to the information I received with the shingles vaccine, this double dose protocol is over 90% effective in preventing shingles and lessening the intensity if someone does get shingles.

So hang in there. If needed, it can be helpful to take Tylenol. Rest today and usually within a couple of days the worst is over.

By the way, welcome to Mayo Connect. We have over 80+ amazing support groups in the forum. You mentioned your chemotherapy infusions. If you don’t mind sharing a little more about yourself, I’d love to help you meet members who might be going through the same journey. Are you currently having chemo or have you completed treatment? What was your diagnosis?