Shingles vaccines, chickenpox, Shingrix

I have documentation of below normal ranges of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes from a virologist. Also a history of low WBC over the years. My diagnosis of ME/CFS should be sufficient I think.

I've seen other specialists that my GP is unaware of though.
 
So the doctor and pharmacist aren't sure exactly when to get vaccinated with Shingrix after infection but if you still have symptoms it's best to wait one year because of side effects from the vaxx.

The Rx was sent in so I will wait one year :emoji_fingers_crossed:
 
GSK studying if best-selling shingles vaccine lowers dementia risk

From one of the authors:

"What’s next? We want to run a randomized clinical trial. This relies on philanthropy because we want to trial a version of the old shingles vaccine (that’s what we’ve all the evidence for!), which is no longer being manufactured. Reach out if you want to help fund!"
https://twitter.com/user/status/1907476798356730156
 
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Live zoster vaccination and cardiovascular outcomes: a nationwide, South Korean study, 2025, Sooji Lee et al

Abstract
Background and Aims
Despite the potential association between herpes zoster infection and cardiovascular events, limited studies have investigated the relationship between live zoster vaccination and cardiovascular outcomes. This large-scale, population-based cohort study with a long-term follow-up aimed to investigate the association between live zoster vaccination and the risk of various cardiovascular events.

Methods
Data on comprehensive information of individuals aged ≥50 years from South Korea (n = 2 207 784) were included from 1 January 2012, to 31 December 2021. National insurance information from the Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the national health examination results from the Korean National Health Insurance Service, and the live zoster vaccination data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency were merged. The risk of incident cardiovascular outcomes after live zoster vaccination was assessed compared with unvaccinated individuals. The primary outcome was the risk of cardiovascular diseases based on International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision code diagnosis. In propensity score–based overlap weighted cohorts, Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for overall and specific cardiovascular outcomes, while calculating restricted mean survival time (RMST) for each outcome. The observation period was from 1 January 2012, to 31 January 2024. Multiple stratification analyses were performed.

Results
After applying propensity score–based overlap weighting, 1 271 922 individuals were included [mean age, 61.3 years (standard deviation, 3.4); 548 986 (43.2%) male; median follow-up time, 6.0 years] in overlap-weighted cohort. Live zoster vaccination was associated with lower risks of overall cardiovascular events [HR 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76–0.78], particularly major adverse cardiovascular events [0.74 (0.71–0.77)], heart failure [0.74 (0.70–0.77)], cerebrovascular disorders [0.76 (0.74–0.78)], ischaemic heart disease [0.78 (0.76–0.80)], thrombotic disorders [0.78 (0.74–0.83)], and dysrhythmia [0.79 (0.77–0.81)]. The RMST difference for overall cardiovascular events following live zoster vaccination was 95.14 days per decade (95% CI 94.99–95.30). The protective association persisted up to 8 years, with the greatest reduction observed 2–3 years post-vaccination. The decrease in cardiovascular disease risk was more pronounced among males, individuals aged <60 years, those with unhealthy lifestyle habits, and those from low-income households and rural residents.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that live zoster vaccination may be beneficial as a public health strategy with potential implications for cardiovascular disease burden in the general population. This strategy may help address health disparities and mortality linked to cardiovascular complications.
 
Shingles Vaccine Lowers Heart Disease Risk

Writing in the European Heart Journal, the authors of the current study report that they included health information in their study from 1,271,922 individuals aged 50 years or greater that was collected between 2012 and 2021. Of these individuals, some had the live shingles vaccination (e.g., SKYZoster) and some did not.

The results showed that those who were vaccinated had a 26% reduction in risk for major cardiovascular events (a stroke, heart attack, or death from heart disease) and a 23% reduction in risk for all cardiovascular events compared with unvaccinated individuals. Protection was greatest in the two to three years after vaccination but continued for up to eight years.
 
Is there any indication that PwME are likely to get shingles earlier than the rest of the population?

Would that be predicted by your proposed theory, @Jonathan Edwards?

It sounds pretty nasty and I'm surprised that the lifetime risk is so high (about 30%). Google AI says, "In clinical trials, [the Shingrix vaccination] was shown to be 97% effective in preventing shingles in adults aged 50-69 and 91% effective in those aged 70 and older."

The NHS has some barking age restrictions: "The shingles vaccine helps protect against shingles. It's available on the NHS for all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system."

Has any PwME here under 65 or in the age 65-70 deadzone managed to get Shingrix on the NHS?
 
Has any PwME here under 65 or in the age 65-70 deadzone managed to get Shingrix on the NHS?

Yes, I got the invite as soon as I turned 65.

I'd had shingles twice by that time, but I doubt it was much to do with ME/CFS. It's really common in people over 50 and the risk increases as you get into your 60s. Over a quarter of all older people get it without a vaccination.

It can really floor people, but doesn't always. I was at the younger end of the spectrum, and it didn't cause symptoms beyond lines of little blisters that were only tender if I rubbed them.


ETA: forgot to say that I'm in the age group that fell into the gap when they changed the eligibility from 70 to 65.

Also, I get my vaccine invites via the NHS app—I installed it because I'm still eligible for Covid vaccinations, and it seems a reliable way of getting info like that.
 
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Yes, I got the invite as soon as I turned 65.
The deadzone seems to be for people who haven't just turned 65 and are still under 70. It's crazy. I'm glad you managed to bag yours! I don't know why they don't just offer it to everyone over 65.

I looked for info on age frequency for first shingles attack but couldn't find anything. I'd be really interested to see it, if anyone can dig it out.

I'm glad you don't have a such a bad experience with shingles, Kitty. :thumbup: (Or indeed, a bag experience, which is what I typed first.)
 
Has any PwME here under 65 or in the age 65-70 deadzone managed to get Shingrix on the NHS?

I didn’t see the NHS information and also got round to do something about it until I was 66, some 18 months ago, when I asked my GP practice for the vaccine but was told I was was not eligible. Then somewhat surprisingly two months later I was invited by my GP to have the vaccine. All very confusing.
 
Is there any indication that PwME are likely to get shingles earlier than the rest of the population?

From what I've been reading on X in the last year is that some people who aren't immunocompromised got shingles in their 40s and it came back again.
 
In clinical trials, [the Shingrix vaccination] was shown to be 97% effective in preventing shingles in adults aged 50-69...

Glad I got mine in my late 50s. Though did have to pay for it privately (thanks, Dad :hug:).
 
I got shingles at 62 but didn't get the big crusty rash. I had a small patch of red dots just above my left shoulder blade. The pain was excruciating. I would not want to get this in my face. I still experience residual neuropathic pain 7 months in.
 
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