My sister got shingles at 31 and it was HORRIBLE. I really need to get the vaccine!

Anonymous wrote:From the FDA site, it doesn't look like it is recommended for those under 50:

Should Zostavax be used in people who are under 50 years of age?


No, at this time, there is not enough information from the studies to determine the risks and benefits of Zostavax in people younger than 50 years of age.

All that means is that they did they clinical trials in 50+ yo people. If its safe in elderly it's safe for young folks, really. That being said if you get it younger than 50 your immunity in 10-20 years could wane, so they don't know if people would need boosters (likely at least every 10 yrs).

From the FDA site, it doesn't look like it is recommended for those under 50:

Should Zostavax be used in people who are under 50 years of age?


No, at this time, there is not enough information from the studies to determine the risks and benefits of Zostavax in people younger than 50 years of age.

Anonymous wrote:I got shingles at age 44 - it was awful. Unfortunately, "awful" does not equal "covered by insurance." Most folks with good insurance have to pay out of pocket ($150-$200?) and is not a sure thing. According to the FDA, the vaccine reduces the incidence of shingles by about 50%.

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/QuestionsaboutVaccines/ucm070418.htm

The Affordable Health Care Act requires insurers to pay for the shingles vaccine.

I got shingles at age 30 just days after having a baby (C section). I'm sure it was due to stress, as we had other things going on at the same time (Dh deployed to Iraq, MIL dying, selling our house, then having the baby---all these things happened with in a 6 week period! It was hell!)

It was concentrated in my eye and nose on one side of my face--and I feel so fortunate that it did not cause any serious problems in my eye--I've read it can cause permanent vision loss!. My dr. had prescribed percocet to help with the pain from the C-section, but I was actually taking it to manage the pain from the shingles, it was so bad.

I had shingles in my early 30's due to stress. I almost started to cry when my DS got the chicken pox vaccine because it meant he was unlikely to ever get shingles. The pain is incredibly bad. J

Anonymous wrote:I got shingles at age 44 - it was awful. Unfortunately, "awful" does not equal "covered by insurance." Most folks with good insurance have to pay out of pocket ($150-$200?) and is not a sure thing. According to the FDA, the vaccine reduces the incidence of shingles by about 50%.

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/QuestionsaboutVaccines/ucm070418.htm

I know three people who got shingles in their 30s (all people I know from our crazy, stressful grad school). I also have several family members who have had it. I asked my doc whether I should get the vaccine. She basically said that it would cost at least $300 and I shouldn't bother. It's a hard choice-of course it I actually did get shingles I'd be cursing myself for not spending the money. Still deciding...

I got shingles at age 44 - it was awful. Unfortunately, "awful" does not equal "covered by insurance." Most folks with good insurance have to pay out of pocket ($150-$200?) and is not a sure thing. According to the FDA, the vaccine reduces the incidence of shingles by about 50%.

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/QuestionsaboutVaccines/ucm070418.htm

Actually, I'm under 60 but my doctor recommended it. I don't know if I had CP or not, so I was just tested for it (results not back yet). If the test is negative, I'll get the shingles vaccine in January, when my twins turn 1. The twins will get the CP vaccine. My doctor told me that you can break out after getting the shingles vaccine, which makes you contagious, which is dangerous if the babies haven't been vaccinated. Apparently the new thinking is they don't want you to get CP.

No need to answer. I was jut told it's for 60 yrs and over. Sorry I didn't post in another forum.

Who is it recommended for? I had CP in the 7th grade (a bad case). My grandmother and my dad had shingles, but it was caught early. A cousin got it and it was to late. He was in constant pain for the rest of his life. I saw the vaccine advertised outside of rite-aid the other day.