Melinda, I totally get it. I would also love to avoid shingles since I had them too. This is the part that bothers me:
"The Shingrix vaccine contains inactivated (nonlive) protein from VZV, along with an adjuvant (known as ASO1B), a substance commonly added to vaccines to initiate a stronger immune response."
That is from your article. This vaccine also contains a brand new, never used before adjuvant. The point that I'm trying to get across is that initiating a stronger immune response does not just apply to an immune response to shingles. It causes an inflammatory response in the entire immune system, which was the concern in the Rheumatology article that I posted. As I said before, improving efficacy can compromise safety. The possibility is that a person ends up immune to shingles but trades that for a chronic, life-long disorder. I realize that PHN can also be chronic, but this vaccine has actually reactivated PHN in some individuals.
This article totally sings praises about this vaccine as being 85% more effective than Zostavax. That doesn't say much for Zostavax, and that one was supposed to be wonderful at the time too. It turned out to be awful because not only was it ineffective, it
caused shingles in quite a lot of people.
The only thing we have to go by right now are reviews since there is no post-marketing experience on the insert. Anyone who gets this vaccine IS the post-marketing experience.
"I'm a 56 yr old female in general good health having had the (zostivax) at age 50 with very mild reactions and knowing how bad shingles are I decided I would get the (shingrix) vac. Thus said 1st shot in Oct 2018 it was 5 days of excruciating pain I must have had all symptoms possible in arm (apple size redness, knot size of plum, fever to injection site, site very sore to touch, could not raise arm any, along with high fever for 12 hrs) It's now Dec 9 an outa-blue arm at injection site has had muscle weakness for last 2 days, I'm scared to get 2nd dose ! I knew there would be side affects to the vaccine but had I known how bad it would be I might have thought twice about getting it. I know the importance of vaccines and benefits they have but I don't understand why this one has so many worse side effects."
"I took the shingrix vaccine on Tuesday, November 27, 2018. The first day was ok, with some arm, shoulder and collarbone pain later that evening. On day 2, I had extremely severe joint and body pain, extreme chills and low grade fever. My body was screaming. A rash appeared on my right ankle all around and on my lower right leg. That night was misery, with some of the worst chills I have ever known. Day 3, the chills broke, followed by moderate sweating. I felt better, but my lower right leg and ankle began to swell, with the rash increasing in size and severity. This led me to my doctor, who diagnosed cellulitis. And who also said, " the vaccine is completely safe, and could not have caused the problems that I have". I was placed on an antibiotic. Day 4, the sweats, and rash, swelling and now a sting sensation are still here, and I am unsure what day 5 might hold. At this point in time, I am not sure which is worse, the pound of problem, or the pound of cure."
"55 y/o female. My mom had bad shingles. I have fairly poor immune system so figured I should get this shot. TOTAL REGRET. First shot in May, 2018 and it wasn't good. Same symptoms as everyone describes, 3 or so days of intense headache/pressure, bad chills, fatigue so awful you can't move. I dreaded shot #2. I wish I hadn't got it. I put it off but finally did it just this morning. I feel like death. I worry if all of us will have long term issues, I see some on here say they do already. I am feeling worse than the first time. This stuff better be worth it because it is brutal. WISHING EVERYONE THE BEST."
"I received the 1st dose of Shingrix on Oct. 12, 2018. I experienced the painful sore arm and I couldn't lift my arm or sleep on it for about 5 days. However, the next day I had a very painful gall bladder attack. I went to the doctor who scheduled an ultrasound and said that I may have to have surgery. Prior to the ultrasound I went to Urgent Care. The doctor asked me if I had a rash, to which I answered "no". I returned to the Urgent Care doctor the next day with a rash, six days after receiving my vaccination. I have Shingles! Gall bladder pain is one of the symptoms of Shingles prior to the rash appearing, and that's why he asked me if I had a rash. I've had Shingles for about a month now. I have a classic case of Shingles on one side of my body, from the middle of my stomach wrapping around to the middle of my back. I will not be getting the second dose!!"
"For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis. I am a 52 year old female in good health. First shingles shot caused a sore injection site on my arm plus a very large raised area that was hot to the touch, these went away after a week. I then had the second shot yesterday, 19 hours later I am experiencing fever, very bad cold chills, shivering, joint pain and extreme fatigue and every muscle in my body aches. Feels like the flu, which I have not had in many, many years. If I had known I would get this sick, I would not have had this vaccine. I’m now concerned with what they may find out about this vaccine in the future."
www.drugs.com/comments/zoster-vaccine-inactivated/shingrix.html
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