Hi Everyone,

Does anyone know anything, or have you been offered a shingles vaccination?

I just happened to go into my local surgery the other day and saw a notice on the door saying they were offering the vaccinations on a first come first served basis.

Any help or advice much appreciated.

Thanks, Linda

Varicella zoster virus causes chicken pox and shingles - you can catch chicken pox from someone with chicken pox or someone with shingles, but no-one can 'catch' shingles - the virus remains dormant in your nerve roots after you have had chicken pox and usually doesn't cause any problems. However when your immune system is depressed ( not sure how our rheumy drugs affect this) it can then flare up along the path of one of the nerves causing shingles. Once we've started immunosuppressant treatment you shouldn't have chicken pox vaccine because it is a live vaccine. I'd check with your GP if you aren't sure (or your Rheumy nurse). Hope this helps