Shingrix (shingles vaccine)

[redbird]

cattitude and I put ourselves on a waiting list for the Shingrix vaccine last fall. Saturday, while I was exercising, the pharmacy called (mispronouncing my name badly) to say they had gotten a supply in, and was I still interested. I said yes, and then called the eye doctor's office and left a message, asking if it was reasonable/safe for me to get the vaccine the day before the eye surgery.

The eye doctor said yes, go ahead, so I walked down to the Rite Aid at Davis Square and got the first dose of the vaccine; they will call me in between two and four months, depending on availability, so I can get the second dose. (CDC says the doses should be 2-6 months apart.)

I am pleased; I had the previous shingles vaccine (Zostavax) five years ago, but it's less effective and may only last three-five years, so the CDC is urging people to get this one even if they've had the other.

Cattitude has not yet been offered the vaccine; he checked, and yes, he's next on the list.

Comments

[pameladean]

I was so relieved when I read about the Shingrix vaccine, since it's so very much better than the previous one. I haven't looked into why it is in such short supply. I've had mine but David hasn't and it concerns me.

P.

[minoanmiss]

Good!

But goodness, people can be so bad about divvying names up into syllables and pronouncing them reasonably.

[umadoshi]

Yay for a better vaccine! And good luck tomorrow. ^_^

[rafiwinters]

Do you know if everyone is supposed to get the shingles vaccination? (Yes, I know you're not a doctor; just wondering.) Or is it just some people who are at greater risk for some reason?

[threeringedmoon]

I hope it is becoming generally available. I've had two attacks of shingles in the past fifteen years and would just as soon not have another even though they have been relatively mild, I think, as cases go.

Last fall, my doctor recommended I hold out for the new, improved version.

[otter]

I'm on the list to get my shots too. I suppose I should find out how long a wait it is.

[otter]

I think the medical folks are encouraging everyone over the age of 50 to get vaccinated.

[elisem]

People who never had chickenpox are not supposed to get the shingles vaccine, my doctor told me. (My doc didn't believe me when I told her I'd never had chickenpox. An antibody test confirmed my statement, and then I was given chickenpox vaccine.)

[redbird]

I'm not sure; I'd had it on my list anyway, and then my neurologist strongly recommended it because of, and ideally before, the MS medication he has shifted me to.

[rafiwinters]

I'll ask my doctor about it next time I see her.

[drwex]

Fascinating. I did not know there was a waiting list. I've checked with my doctor and also with CVS and both were out of vaccine and neither offered me a waiting list option. I don't think I have a local Rite Aid so I'll have to keep looking.

[redbird]

The CVS in Davis Square offered us a waiting list; we turned them down because we had just put ourselves on the Rite Aid's waiting list. Around that time, a stranger who heard me asking about the vaccine said he was on a long waiting list at a different CVS branch. Walgreen's is in the slow process of taking over Rite Aid, so you might try Walgreen's if there's one of those near you.