Shingles vaccine.

horse7 · 17-12-2025 10:15PM #1

The vaccine is available for over 65,s in the UK. My spouse is about to be treated by infusion for rheumatoid arthritis and has been told to have vaccines for pneumonia and shingles, the shingles one is now 500€, and still will not be given by the hse but only available privately.

Cyclingtourist · 17-12-2025 10:38PM

I've had shingles so presumably getting vaccinated against it isn't necessary. Had it when I was about sixty. Unpleasant but no big deal, over it in about a week.

horse7 · 17-12-2025 11:19PM

Im glad you made a good recovery and I can only presume you don't have a compromised immune system and not being put on a treatment called Rituximab (brand names Rituxan, MabThera) is a monoclonal antibody drug that targets and eliminates B-cells, used to treat certain cancers (lymphoma, leukemia) and autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and vasculitis by reducing harmful immune responses, though it can cause infusion reactions and increase infection risk.

Jim_Hodge · 17-12-2025 11:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124078266#Comment_124078266

You got away lucky. I wouldn't downplay the often serious impact shingles can have, even on otherwise healthy people. I've seen to lingering after affects. We really need a HSE vaccination programme.

watchclocker · 18-12-2025 12:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124078266#Comment_124078266

Shingles isn't a one time thing like chicken pox can be, it can resurface at any time particularly with certain triggers

It can be extremely debilitating illness, especially in the immunosuppressed which the poster's wife will be

You were lucky, others can suffer for months and have ongoing complications

morebarn · 18-12-2025 01:20AM

I had a very severe dose of shingles in 2023. None of the medications my GP tried could even touch the pain and agony of it.
I got Post Herpetic Neuralgia, which is a longer term effect. It took six months to eventually clear it. I was on the point of hospitalization, when we finally tried an Epilepsy drug, which amazingly worked and slowly and gradually cleared it.

I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis, for which I self inject a Biological drug fortnightly. As the original poster pointed out, my immune system is compromised as a result. I did get Pneumonia vaccine , before I commenced the Biologic, and also get yearly flu jab. , In a bid to help my system fight the shingles, my GP decided to temporarily stop my injection. Which was a disaster, as doing so allowed the RA to return in a more constant form. And it's been an issue since. Despite ten excellent healthy years on the Biologic.

So the Shingles episode has had long lasting effects on my health, in a roundabout way!!

Obviously I enquired about the shingles vaccine from my GP and my Rheumatologist, but never get a clear or decisive answer. They seemed a bit negative about it.
so, I dread the thought of it ever recurring.
especially as this year I also had breast cancer.

The radio campaign re shingles sort of annoys me! As while it gives lots of warnings about the dangers, there is no practical advice about vaccinations,; such as if it's available with HSE or GPs, costs, . Etc.

Apologies for long post!!

Happy_Harry · 16-03-2026 11:57AM

I decided to get the vaccine. But it is not very straightforward. So far I have been at 2 pharmacies who told me I needed a script from a GP, which really galls me, having to pay another €60 on top of the €240 per dose. Pharmacies seem to advertise they do it, but fail to mention you need a GP script. Then I used my health insurance GP service and guess what… "Oh we can't prescribe a vaccine" I am utterly frustrated at this stage. Anyone have a better experience ?

black & white · 16-03-2026 04:27PM

I got it last year, prescribed by my Rheumatologist, similar to OP spouse I needed it for Arthritis. It’s 2 doses about 8 weeks apart. It was expensive but a family member had shingles previously and I don’t want to go through that.

watchclocker · 16-03-2026 05:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124316554#Comment_124316554

If you're under 50 I don't think they give it without you being immunosuppressed, but you don't need a script in boots, just tell them what illness you have that causes you to need it

wassie · 16-03-2026 05:58PM

Dont forget the cost is lowered slightly off-set slightly if you are eligible to claiming 20% tax relief on the cost of qualifying health expenses i.e. up to €500 on private scripts in a year, meaning you can claim a tax credit of €100.

Interestingly the shingles vaccination has been associated with lower dementia risk according to recent studies. Although the evidence is observational and not yet definitively causal.

A new analysis of a vaccination program in Wales found that the shingles vaccine not only appeared to lower new dementia diagnoses by 20%, it also helped those who already have the disease.

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/03/shingles-vaccination-dementia.html

amandstu · 16-03-2026 06:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124078266#Comment_124078266

I have had it twice.The first time the doc was surprised it seemed so mild.The second time I ignored the initial symptoms thinking I could not get it twice and spent a week in hospital as a result

I assume I should get the vaccine but have been too lazy to do so

Maybe an expert or someone knowledgeable might clarify if people who have had shingles twice need to get the vaccination or not ?

(I have heard it has benefits beyond just avoiding shingles or its worst effects

Edit:as per the post directly above)

Happy_Harry · 18-03-2026 06:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124317513#Comment_124317513

I am unfortunately over 50, so no reason not to administer it. Anyway- called the GP practice and they can do it there for a tenner more than what the cost is at the pharmacy.

Shingles vaccine.

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