Flu & Shingles Vaccine at the same time

Posted by liz5cents @liz5cents, Oct 13, 2021

Can I receive my flu and 1st shingles vaccine at the same appointment? Are there any risks to doing this?

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I would like to know wether my husband & I should have the Zostervax or the Shingrix vaccin? We are 76 & 77. I am immuno-supressed (on Enbrel for my Psa)
How often should you have these vaccin? Thank you.

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@oceanone

I would like to know wether my husband & I should have the Zostervax or the Shingrix vaccin? We are 76 & 77. I am immuno-supressed (on Enbrel for my Psa)
How often should you have these vaccin? Thank you.

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This is an easy decision now because Zostervax is no longer available in the US.

Shingrix is a two shot vaccination. You’ll receive the first dose, and after a waiting period of several months you’ll receive injection number 2. Then you’re done.
It’s not an annual vaccination so you’ll have the two part vaccination and that’s it.

It can make the arm a little tender for the first day or so. And as always, make sure you ask your physician first.

Have you had your annual flu vaccine? These can be given at the same time.

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@oceanone

I would like to know wether my husband & I should have the Zostervax or the Shingrix vaccin? We are 76 & 77. I am immuno-supressed (on Enbrel for my Psa)
How often should you have these vaccin? Thank you.

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@oceanone

You should consult your doctor and pharmacist as to wether you should get the immunization or not. A pharmacist knows more of the reactions and who should and should not get the immunization.

You can get more than a sore arm. We had extremely sore arm, other muscle aches, tired, headache, nausea and for me vomiting… but we are the weird ones… usually it is just me but he joined in this time. We are going to wait about midway of our wait time to get our second injection… and hopefully it will work. Cause shingles is painful! We both had it on our face. Mine was worse than his. Having around the eye is scary. I did prescription eyedrops to help keep it out of my eye. Eating… the chewing part or even sipping water was painful… talking, smiling… anything using the facial muscles was painful. My daughter had shingles when she was 10 around her waist… hard to go through with her. Better treatment meds for the pain now. My f-i-l got shingles on his leg, one of my brothers on his back.

Here is more on side effects from the Shingrix site.
https://www.shingrix.com/side-effects.html

ZeeGee

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@oceanone

I would like to know wether my husband & I should have the Zostervax or the Shingrix vaccin? We are 76 & 77. I am immuno-supressed (on Enbrel for my Psa)
How often should you have these vaccin? Thank you.

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@oceanone
I forgot about the cdc site… it states:

Q: Can Shingrix be administered to immunocompromised individuals?

A: While Shingrix is not contraindicated in immunocompromised persons, it is not recommended by ACIP at this time. ACIP will begin reviewing evidence for Shingrix in immunocompromised people as soon as it becomes available and will modify vaccine policy as necessary. You can still give Shingrix to someone who is taking low-dose immunosuppressive medication, anticipating immunosuppression, or has recovered from an immunocompromising illness.

Full page:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/hcp/shingrix/faqs.html

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@fourof5zs

@oceanone
I forgot about the cdc site… it states:

Q: Can Shingrix be administered to immunocompromised individuals?

A: While Shingrix is not contraindicated in immunocompromised persons, it is not recommended by ACIP at this time. ACIP will begin reviewing evidence for Shingrix in immunocompromised people as soon as it becomes available and will modify vaccine policy as necessary. You can still give Shingrix to someone who is taking low-dose immunosuppressive medication, anticipating immunosuppression, or has recovered from an immunocompromising illness.

Full page:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/hcp/shingrix/faqs.html

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Thank you!

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@ggb21

I ended Dec ‘20 w severe spinal stenosis/ sciatica & had aspinal epidural on 1/23/21. —Then on March 5th I had a strong immune reaction to my “2nd Moderna “shot affecting my lymph nodes. It started w a sore throat,aches, nausea, severe fatigue causing weakness, I evacuated everything I ate immediately after eating except for baked potatoes.I Drank Pedialite ev day for 3 +wks & a family member stayed w me for more than a month. I “dread”getting the Moderna booster shot. Then, 3 mos later I came down w a wicked case of shingles.I spent most of 5 wks +in bed which was overall very debilitating to my wellbeing. Unfortunately I hadn’t had the Shingrix vaccine, I had the Zosterfax Which no longer provided immunity. I’m now 84yrs old, not requiring any meds for blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes but having spinal surgery next wk.— —Sorry for the above diatribe Colleen Young,but who would I consult w Re my concern of the effects of a Moderna booster shot if required . JMCD

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@ggb21 Has your doctor indicated that there is a connection between the vaccine and shingles? I am thinking there must be. My sister-in-law got shingles following her first shot. She delayed the second shot slightly but did have shingles still when she got it and then her shingles went crazy and she is battling them. This goes back to March.

My husband had an extremely mild case after his second shot and I know another woman who has had shingles also after the vaccine.
The first two people both had Moderna but the third had Pfizer. I have had three Pfizer and had no adverse reaction other than what is expected - mild fatigue and a bit of a headache.

@fourof5zs There was an article in July that they were reviewing giving the shingles shot for immunocompromised people and it sounded like approval was imminent. My transplant center still advises against it but I hear that other transplant centers are giving it. I am anxiously awaiting approval so I can get it. This sounds like it has been Ok'd but other articles do not seem to say that.
https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/generalinfectiousdisease/93760
JK

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@contentandwell

@ggb21 Has your doctor indicated that there is a connection between the vaccine and shingles? I am thinking there must be. My sister-in-law got shingles following her first shot. She delayed the second shot slightly but did have shingles still when she got it and then her shingles went crazy and she is battling them. This goes back to March.

My husband had an extremely mild case after his second shot and I know another woman who has had shingles also after the vaccine.
The first two people both had Moderna but the third had Pfizer. I have had three Pfizer and had no adverse reaction other than what is expected - mild fatigue and a bit of a headache.

@fourof5zs There was an article in July that they were reviewing giving the shingles shot for immunocompromised people and it sounded like approval was imminent. My transplant center still advises against it but I hear that other transplant centers are giving it. I am anxiously awaiting approval so I can get it. This sounds like it has been Ok'd but other articles do not seem to say that.
https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/generalinfectiousdisease/93760
JK

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I’ve had both Shingrix vaccines now with no issues. My transplant doctor at Mayo was pretty adamant about getting the vaccine even though I’m immuno compromised. Whatever protection we can glean from the vaccine in giving our immune system a head start by preventing or combating Shingles is preferable to getting a full blown case.

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@loribmt

I’ve had both Shingrix vaccines now with no issues. My transplant doctor at Mayo was pretty adamant about getting the vaccine even though I’m immuno compromised. Whatever protection we can glean from the vaccine in giving our immune system a head start by preventing or combating Shingles is preferable to getting a full blown case.

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@loribmt I am also immunocompromised from my liver transplant and my transplant team had us set up as soon as it was available to get the vaccine right there at Mass General. I have had three Pfizer shots with no issues.

When it comes to shingles it doesn't seem as if it is combatting it. My sister-in-law, after getting the second Moderna shot, was in the hospital for five days due to the extreme pain she was in, and then a bit later she was back in the hospital for two days. Since I do know two other people who had mild cases after the vaccines I can't help but think that there is a connection. Thankfully, the vast majority of people do not have that problem but I did hear that they are saying now if you have shingles do not get the vaccine. She already had shingles when she got the second shot, they started after the first shot.

I am extremely pro-vaccine and I do not think it's a problem generally but you definitely need to be aware before you get vaccinated and if there is any possibility that you might have shingles, you need to wait. My husband's case was very mild and gone in a couple of weeks. He happened to have a doctor's appointment during that time and she confirmed that it was shingles.
JK

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@contentandwell

@loribmt I am also immunocompromised from my liver transplant and my transplant team had us set up as soon as it was available to get the vaccine right there at Mass General. I have had three Pfizer shots with no issues.

When it comes to shingles it doesn't seem as if it is combatting it. My sister-in-law, after getting the second Moderna shot, was in the hospital for five days due to the extreme pain she was in, and then a bit later she was back in the hospital for two days. Since I do know two other people who had mild cases after the vaccines I can't help but think that there is a connection. Thankfully, the vast majority of people do not have that problem but I did hear that they are saying now if you have shingles do not get the vaccine. She already had shingles when she got the second shot, they started after the first shot.

I am extremely pro-vaccine and I do not think it's a problem generally but you definitely need to be aware before you get vaccinated and if there is any possibility that you might have shingles, you need to wait. My husband's case was very mild and gone in a couple of weeks. He happened to have a doctor's appointment during that time and she confirmed that it was shingles.
JK

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Life gets a bit complicated when we’re on immunosuppressants. Because it’s not 100% certain the Shingrix vaccine has me protected I’m still taking and antiviral pill daily…just in case.

I agree, this has to be a case by case decision. If someone has had or has an active case of Shingles they should wait until it’s approved. A weak immune system is just the opportunity the virus is looking for to reemerge.

I had a bone marrow transplant, essentially giving me someone else’s immune system so technically I haven’t had chicken pox but the virus might be in my system from the transplant donor. So we’re covering all the bases by getting me immunized. Hah, talking about not being an antivaxer. I just had my final 2 post transplant vaccinations, #s 28 and 29 since last October! Hope some of them take!! LOL.

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Oh my!! my husband is getting as weird as me… maybe worse.

Sometimes you need to laugh even though you feel like crying. 😂

On 08 Oct we both had the Shingles vaccines. This weekend husband started burning on the left side of his face and scalp. (twice) first Sept 2017 and last fall he had been diagnosed with having Shingles (he had no rash then… just the burning) on the right side of his face. This time his left side of face and sores just above his lip.. some near his ear and some on scalp. His eye is bothering him, but NP did not see any evidence of Shingles on his eye.

In Sept 2017 a couple of weeks after him I had Shingles on my left side of my head and face… sores on my cheek, around my eye and from my ear to middle scalp. Earlier this year.. which would have been a few weeks after husbands attack of Shingles… I think I had Shingles again… started on a Friday with burning on left side of my head and face.. but only a half dozen or so sores along just my scalp line at forehead. Burning stopped by Monday and sores healing so I did not go to doctor.

You may hear in a few weeks that I have Shingles.

We Shall Survive 🧓🏻👵🏻 🥳

ZeeGee

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