Shingles Shot

I had my first Shingles episode a couple of months ago and looked into Merck's vaccine and I found it is for patients 50 and older (I'm not). Maybe there are other ones.

We all have shingles in our system if we've had the chicken pox.
Shingles will appear with our immune system is low. Stress is a major factor.
My sister got shingles when she was dealing with cancer.
My husband got shingles a couple of years ago during a stressful time at work.
We havent had the "shot". Personally, I think the shot is dumb.

Hi Sassy,

Wow. I'm sorry you've had shingles more than once. I had it once and I hope that's it!

First, the prescription is very effective and your best bet.

Second, doctors used to give the shot to women over a certain age, even if they had had shingles. I had shingles recently and afterwards the doctor said that practice is changing. He did not recommend the shot. He said it was for folks who had had chicken pox and wanted to prevent it reactivating. It seems that I waited too long, had shingles, and that would provide the same protection as the shot. Neither having shingles or the shot is completely effective as preventatives for all of us, so some of us will have shingles again.

All my best.

My mom had shingles, and after the breakout ended, her doctor vaccinated her for shingles - so I think it should prevent future breakouts. It might be a good idea to check with your doctor to make sure, though.

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oooo...thats a good question. My husband is a pharmacist and I know he gives a lot of shingles shots, but alas, I don't know much about them! I know that a lot of older people will get the shot to prevent shingles for sure but I am not sure about if you have already had shingles and want to prevent further outbreaks. He is going to be home late tonight, but when he gets home I will ask him and try and let you know!

I am so sorry to hear you get those, I heard they are quite painful to have!

I am just getting over my 4th breakout. I had been saying I was going to get the shot, but procrastinated too long and voila - breakout!

I plan to wait about a month and then go get the vaccination. I THINK it prevents future breakouts. I too got the medication on the very first day this last breakout started so my case was much milder than usual but still extremely painful. Could not wear clothes for about 5 days!

I would ask your doctor about it further.

I have had the shingles to the point of being hospitalized several times and my physician feels there is no point in me getting the vaccine. That virus is obviously active in my body and it seems unlikely that a vaccine would prevent me from getting further breakouts.

I do take antivirals at the very first inkling of a breakout so Lord knows, if that lessens the severity, I'd be in much worse shape without it.

I think that if you've had chicken pox and you want to prevent getting shingles, that's when the vaccination could prevent you from suffering a breakout.

Again, talk in more depth about it with your doctor or get a second opinion.

Shingles is absolutely horrible and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

For the record, I'm the only person in my family, with the exception of my paternal grandmother who lived 3,000 miles away, who ever got shingles.

Best wishes to you.