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Anyone like me and at 66 have to wait until 70 for a shingles vacination?

(129 Posts)
grassgreen Sun 12-Nov-23 14:09:36

I'm not understanding the logic of now giving shingles jabs to 65 year olds but not 66 to 69 year olds. Has anyone appealed to their GP and got the jab?

welbeck Sun 12-Nov-23 14:23:14

not a hope, i reckon. we are stuck.
guess it's due to some actuarial calculation as to how much money it will save.
is nearly £500 to get both doses privately.

Theexwife Sun 12-Nov-23 14:23:26

I suppose a date has to be set somewhere, in this case you have to be 65 after a certain date, whatever date is decided it will not include people of a certain age, the same happened when the pension age increased.

You can have one but will cost £450 for the two doses.

welbeck Sun 12-Nov-23 14:26:19

i guess it's the fact that it's changed, just as some of us were due to get it.
like sisyphus.

Ilovecheese Sun 12-Nov-23 14:49:13

I can get mine when I am 70, people whose next birthday is 65 can get it when they turn 65 and people whose next birthday is 70 can get it when they are 70

kittylester Sun 12-Nov-23 14:58:36

I paid privately for mine as the goalposts kept changing!

Ailsa43 Sun 12-Nov-23 15:05:10

It does seem odd that my sister who is 65 can get it, but I can't have it at 68, I have to wait until I'm 70

grannyqueenie Sun 12-Nov-23 15:13:11

2 doses? I’m sure I only had one!

lemsip Sun 12-Nov-23 15:15:38

shingrix

Forlornhope Sun 12-Nov-23 15:19:07

The very thing that I was beefing about a few days ago. A couple of friends are recovering from doses of shingles so I thought I’d ask at the GPs’ about the jab. Such is the confusion over who is eligible, the receptionist disappeared for 10 mins to find out. I must wait until I’m 70.

nanaK54 Sun 12-Nov-23 15:38:55

Madness isn't it.
I am 69 so only one year to wait, so I am luckier than some.

Oldbat1 Sun 12-Nov-23 17:03:58

Seems ridiculous folk now having to wait - if it is now fine for 65yr olds then all currently over 65 should be offered it. I had mine at 70 but it was only a single dose.

Whiff Mon 13-Nov-23 05:03:54

I was 65 in April but have been told I must wait until I am 70 by my GP surgery. As I had to be 65 after the 1st September this year to get it .

I am sick of that TV advert which says 65 year olds can get NHS shingles jab. It doesn't say it only applies to certain 65 year olds.

I already suffer from nerve pain and thought I would beable to get it as Shingles causes a rash and nerve pain.

I can't afford to have it done privately.

kittylester Mon 13-Nov-23 06:44:04

I only had one jab grannyqueenie

nanna8 Mon 13-Nov-23 06:45:28

I think we have to be 70 here,too unless you pay for it privately. How long does the vaccination last, does anyone know? Hope it isn't like the Covid ones wearing off in time!

Imarocker Mon 13-Nov-23 07:43:24

The vaccination is a one-off and the restrictions on the age at which you can have a jab are due to the cost and limited availability.

Maggiemaybe Mon 13-Nov-23 08:18:08

Of course there have to be age restrictions.

But the issue here is that the free vaccine is now available in the UK not only to all over 70s, but also to anyone turning 65 on or after 1 September 2023. Those of us who were aged 65, 66, 67, 68 or 69 as of 31 August 2023 are stuck in some kind of no man’s land, and still have to wait till we’re 70.

Surely it would have been fairer to reduce the age first to 69, then to 68, and so on?

I’m irritated by the TV ad as well, Whiff, though I don’t have as long to wait as you do!

4allweknow Mon 13-Nov-23 10:58:47

I wouldn't count on the shingles vaccination giving full protection. I had shingles at 60. At 65 my GP told me I was due a shingles vaccine. I told him I'd had shingles so why did I need a vaccine. For better protection apparently. Early this year, 12 years later what did I have, yes Shingles. Could not believe it and it was worse than first time.
Take the vaccine but don't think of it as a magical potion.

henetha Mon 13-Nov-23 11:00:28

I'm 86 and still waiting for mine.

Theexwife Mon 13-Nov-23 11:32:34

4allweknow

I wouldn't count on the shingles vaccination giving full protection. I had shingles at 60. At 65 my GP told me I was due a shingles vaccine. I told him I'd had shingles so why did I need a vaccine. For better protection apparently. Early this year, 12 years later what did I have, yes Shingles. Could not believe it and it was worse than first time.
Take the vaccine but don't think of it as a magical potion.

Immunity only stays strong for 7 years.

Millie22 Mon 13-Nov-23 11:32:36

I don't think my DH has been offered the shingles vac.

This year apparently I can't have the flu jab as I'm not old enough 😂 last year I was! and the year before that.

OldFrill Mon 13-Nov-23 13:19:43

henetha

I'm 86 and still waiting for mine.

Henetha, It's not offered routinely to 80+ as it's not deemed to be effective enough. If you have underlying conditions it may be worth discussing with your GP.

aggie Mon 13-Nov-23 13:31:04

I was too young to get the shingles jab , then I was too old ! So I hope I don’t get infected !

Bea65 Mon 13-Nov-23 13:39:32

Whiff I hate this Tv ad since September telling you 65s and over can get jab - My GP says no … have to wait till I’m 70 -reminded him that I had Shingles in Jan 2020 and was unwell for 6-8 weeks so I should be eligible.. rules say No😕

TillyTrotter Mon 13-Nov-23 16:34:57

I was in a catch 22 situation like you Bea65 and last had Shingles about 14 months ago (3rd time).
We decided it was worth finding the money and paying and that is what I’ve done rather than wait another 5 years.
I am also a “WASPI”, are you?
So am having to wait for State Pension. Not very happy about either.