Shingles Vaccine

The Meeting Place > Health & Wellbeing > Shingles Vaccine

Vivity8/7/2007

7 yrs ago

This is becoming available for free for those aged 70 - 79 as from the beginning of November.

I got shingles in my eye and it was agony, when I was told it could re-occur I paid $250.00 to be vaccinated so for anyone over 70 it well worth taking advantage of it being now being free.

http://www.ncirs.edu.au/assets/provider_resources/fact-sheets/zoster-vaccine-fact-sheet.pdf

14 comments

Sandi (SA)

7 yrs ago

Yes Vivity, had heard they were going to be free and was deciding whether to have one or not.

Will decide when the time comes.

Abby

7 yrs ago

That seems a very strange age span to have the free vaccination restricted to ..... would the people in their sixties and eighties be just as susceptible ??

I suspect it's something to do with how long it is since you had chicken pox as a kid.

Sandi (SA)

7 yrs ago

I think it will be available for other ages later but it's those in the 70's I think are most at risk.

Hubbies Mum got it in her 70's and the pain was very bad. Took her a long time to get over it.

Here's Viv's direct link

http://www.ncirs.edu.au/assets/provider_resources/fact-sheets/zoster-vaccine-fact-sheet.pdf

Vivity8/7/2007

7 yrs ago

Yes Sandi it is the 70s age group that are more likely to get shingles but I must admit too it would be very hard for those in their 80s + to get shingles.

To me it was worth spending the money as it was very very painful but also extremely worrying as it could have affected my eyesight, I must have spent a small fortune on needing to see the Opthalmologist frequently plus on scripts for special eye drops for at least 3 a6 months to clear up the ulceration in my eye with the worry it could cause scarring.

People who get it on their chest can find it excruciatingly painful as it tracks along the nerves.

It is very good the vaccine is now free for 70 to 80 year olds its certainly worth taking advantage of.

Attila

7 yrs ago

ps: Husband said the GP told him it is a trial and free to everyone over 72.

Vivity8/7/2007

7 yrs ago

The fact sheet above put up by Sandi makes it very clear it is available free to 70-80 year olds, your GP may still be taking part in post -licensure studies, possibly?

Phyl.

7 yrs ago

As you know Viv. and Sandi., Peter and I paid to have the injection earlier this year, and to be honest we were the first at the Chemist to do this.

We took a little ice pack so we could take the injections to the sister very near, as the Shingles injection has only a small time frame between fridge and the injection site.

Great for many it will be free now. After my Mum's terrible pain with shingles, at the age of 84 we would hope to never get the rotten thing.

Abby

7 yrs ago

Phyl

Thanks for the tip about the icepack.

CindyLou

7 yrs ago

Very interesting - had no idea there was a vaccine.

Tass

7 yrs ago

Where I live my Doctor asked if I'd had Shingles and I replied no, but had had chicken pox as a child. It was explained to me that the surgery is only getting a small ammount of vaccinations at a time from the government, so they are inoculationg those who have allready had Shingles first. There is the option to pay $30.00 to have the shot though, which makes one wonder about the 'ammount' of shots the surgery is receiving.

Sophie

7 yrs ago

That doesn't sound right to me. There were shortages in November in Victoria..South Australia and Queensland..but now supplies have been replenished.

How come they say they are short..but are willing to give you one for $30.00...

PlanB

7 yrs ago

I had just ONE chicken Pox mark as a Child -- Son had none as a child but got a dreadful dose about the age of 39

Attila

7 yrs ago

My husband was given the jab five days ago. He is about to turn 75.

HOLA

7 yrs ago

I was sent an SMS by my Medical Centre stating they have the Shingles Vaccine available to people over 70. They only get batches of 10 so make an appointment as soon as possible. I am a bit reluctant to have it as I have suffered with Psoriasis in the past and having the vaccine could stir it up again.

Sophie

7 yrs ago

Hola..that is a possibility...although Psoriasis is an auto immune disease.. and shingles is caused by a virus..there still may be a chance of a mild flare up..

Think you should clear it first with your doctor...

HOLA

7 yrs ago

Thanks Thea, I'll certainly look into it.

Attila

7 yrs ago

How does one start a new topic please?

PlanB

7 yrs ago

Ann go to the area in the Forum where you want to put it

(where the title suits the thread )-- and you will see an area that says NEW TOPIC click on there

PlanB