Shingles Vaccine

[WCE1999]

I was reading your article about the Shingles vaccine.  To begin with, I am NOT an anti vaccine person.  I fully trust and believe in vaccines.  I had the new vaccine in mid 2018.  Both injections.  I also had the old vaccine when I turned 50.  So plenty of shots.  While traveling last September I came down with Shingles on my face that went into my eye.  It has been very bad.  Since that time I have met two other people who also had the shot about the same time, both also got Shingles, one worse than me.  The shot may be 97% efficient initially but I do not believe it is that efficient forever.  I have friends who think they are safe because they got the shot eight years ago.  I was told that new vaccines are not typically tested to see if a booster is required until ten years after the vaccine is released.  I did see a study on line that said after four years the vaccine was less than 50% effective.  This topic needs  more discussion.  Maybe some investigative work from AARP would be helpful in raising appropriate awareness.  I now have issues that may be around for the rest of my life.  Do I believe in the vaccine?  Yes.  Do I believe it is 97% effective forever.  NO!  I'm living proof of that.

[GailL1]

@WCE1999 

The effectiveness of any vaccine depends on your immune system.

I like you, have had the Zostavax and the (2) dose of Shingrix.  To be more protected, if they advise another one or a different type - I will get it.  Shingles is wicked as you seem to know.  It might have been much worse if you had not had some protection. 

It does wain after 7-years in those over 70 so we probably will have to have another  round.  

I don’t remember anybody ever saying that it was a forever vaccine - which ones are?????

From the CDC 

Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common shingles complication.

• In adults 50 to 69 years old with healthy immune systems—Shingrix was 97% effective in preventing shingles; in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective.
• In adults 50 years and older—Shingrix was 91% effective in preventing PHN; in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 89% effective.
• In adults with weakened immune systems—Shingrix was between 68% and 91% effective in preventing shingles, depending on the condition that affects the immune system.

In people 70 years and older with healthy immune systems, Shingrix immunity remained high for at least 7 years after vaccination.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

[6/5/26] @WCE1999 , thank you for posting this. Yes, at age 68 this year - I thought the shot I had (I think at age 65?) would  "protect" me.

But I am "guessing" like with the Flu Shot & COVID vaccines (which I get), NOTHING is "guaranteed" to work (at all or forever?).

But I "personally" will CONTINUE to get them as I am too old to be dealing with MORE "health" issues that the Flu & COVID can bring my way.

Living alone and faraway from family does NOT help = would have NO one to take care of me.

Hopefully your post will get AARP's attention in the department that CAN help.