Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix): Is it advisable for transplant patients?

Posted by azdan99 @azdan99, Jul 31, 2020

Is it advisable and safe for a transplant patient to get the new shingles vaccine, Shinglex?

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I was told that it was safe to get the vaccine. I had my transplant over two years ago and got both doses of the new vaccine after my transplant.

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Same with my husband. He's had it, but it was a year after his transplant.

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@azdan99 - I had the Shingrex shingles vaccine several years ago. When it came out I was already several years post transplant and my PCP asked me if I could get it since it was not a live vaccine. When I asked my coordinator she checked with transplant infectious disease doctor and said that I could have it.
I don’t know if that decision would apply to anyone else because as with all medicines there are some risks that have to be balanced with benefits. Also one has to consider allergies and drug interactions. I had a liver and kidney transplant and I don’t know if other organ transplants have other restrictions.

I encourage you to check with your transplant team and see what they say to you about it. Will you let us know what you find out?

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@rosemarya

@azdan99 - I had the Shingrex shingles vaccine several years ago. When it came out I was already several years post transplant and my PCP asked me if I could get it since it was not a live vaccine. When I asked my coordinator she checked with transplant infectious disease doctor and said that I could have it.
I don’t know if that decision would apply to anyone else because as with all medicines there are some risks that have to be balanced with benefits. Also one has to consider allergies and drug interactions. I had a liver and kidney transplant and I don’t know if other organ transplants have other restrictions.

I encourage you to check with your transplant team and see what they say to you about it. Will you let us know what you find out?

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@rosemarya
@jodeej
This is very interesting information! My husband got the vaccine but I did not. I am not in the age group where they recommend getting a shingles vaccine but I am wondering if I would qualify to get it because of my transplant. I hear shingles is terrible. Do you know anything else about the rules around this?

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@jolinda

@rosemarya
@jodeej
This is very interesting information! My husband got the vaccine but I did not. I am not in the age group where they recommend getting a shingles vaccine but I am wondering if I would qualify to get it because of my transplant. I hear shingles is terrible. Do you know anything else about the rules around this?

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@jolinda it was recommended for my husband to get one because he had a transplant. Our insurance agreed to cover it even though he is under 60. I think you should check into it. Just a heads up that the shots really hurt.

I've heard that having shingles is really terrible, too. I will definitely get the shot when I am old enough.

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@jodeej @jolinda @rosemarya I had shingles in Feb this year. It was very painful. I'm nervous about getting the vaccine in case it wakens the virus again. I was one year post transplant then.

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@gaylea, Oh, my gosh! I remember you sharing that you had shingles in another discussion. I certainly understand your concern about the shingles virus. This is most definitely something you would need to talk to your transplant team about before you make a decision.

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@azdan99 Hi Im also from Arizona and had my Heart Transplant at Mayo in Phoenix Janurary 2018.I see you have had yours for a while 17 years Congratulations. I did have both shots,it is given in to phases, last year and have had no issues. But also as Rosemary said double check with your Team. I prey you have a Blessed Day
Keep Cool
Dana

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@jolinda I thing they have lowered the age you may want to check

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@azdan99

This is definitely something you want to check with your own transplant team. Mine does not want me to get it because although it is not a live vaccine it does have something in it that increases your immunity. I worry that may end up being true when they finally have a COVID vaccine too. My transplant team tends to be on the conservative side, which is fine with me.
JK

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