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Shingles Vaccine Linked to Slower Biological Aging in Older Adults

gero.usc.edu

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Re: Shingles Vaccine Linked to Slower Biological Aging in Older Adults

#11

Post by bitwize »

kstrauser wrote: post #4

Not gonna lie: this vaccine made me sick as a dog for a couple of days. I would still get it again in a heartbeat. A couple of days under the weather vs a debilitating condition that can cause months of agony is a no-brainer. Longevity is a nice bonus, but it’s just that, a bonus. Ask any family practice or gerontologist if shingles is a big deal. They’ll confirm that yes, you really, really want to avoid it.

It became painful for me to move my left arm for months after I got my Shingrix. It still hurts a little, especially in the morning upon awakening. This isn't a common side effect but I did find a case study of a woman who had worse pain for longer (about a year). Still would get the vax though. My mother-in-law actually had shingles. I don't want it.

Re: Shingles Vaccine Linked to Slower Biological Aging in Older Adults

#12

Post by replwoacause »

Qem wrote: post #6
fegu wrote: post #3

Very interesting. I got this vaccine (needs to be taken twice) last year. Since then my back pain linked to possible beginning bechterews, which I have had for about a year, is gone and has stayed away for 2 months now. Could be unrelated, but it is so pronounced that I have been looking for an explanation. Very happy with it.

I tried to take it, but was refused because I'm still under the age of 50. Will try to convince a doctor to prescribe me.

Why would a doctor refuse to prescribe it before 50? Is there a harm to receiving it “early”?

Re: Shingles Vaccine Linked to Slower Biological Aging in Older Adults

#13

Post by tmhn2 »

Qem wrote: post #6
fegu wrote: post #3

Very interesting. I got this vaccine (needs to be taken twice) last year. Since then my back pain linked to possible beginning bechterews, which I have had for about a year, is gone and has stayed away for 2 months now. Could be unrelated, but it is so pronounced that I have been looking for an explanation. Very happy with it.

I tried to take it, but was refused because I'm still under the age of 50. Will try to convince a doctor to prescribe me.

I think one reason it's discouraged is that it's not completely clear how long it lasts, and getting it early may result in less protection later in life. Also it's only been tested in that age group. (At least, this is what I heard when I researched getting it early a while ago).

Re: Shingles Vaccine Linked to Slower Biological Aging in Older Adults

#14

Post by rippeltippel »

replwoacause wrote: post #12
Qem wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I tried to take it, but was refused because I'm still under the age of 50. Will try to convince a doctor to prescribe me.

Why would a doctor refuse to prescribe it before 50? Is there a harm to receiving it “early”?

In countries where vaccines are paid for by the state (partially or fully) doctors won't prescribe them unless there's a statistically significant benefit across the entire population. If it's generally accepted that shingles is more common/risky over 50, guidelines will prevent doctors from offering the vaccine before that age, essentially not to "waste" public money.

Re: Shingles Vaccine Linked to Slower Biological Aging in Older Adults

#15

Post by EvanAnderson »

tmhn2 wrote: post #13
Qem wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I tried to take it, but was refused because I'm still under the age of 50. Will try to convince a doctor to prescribe me.

I think one reason it's discouraged is that it's not completely clear how long it lasts, and getting it early may result in less protection later in life. Also it's only been tested in that age group. (At least, this is what I heard when I researched getting it early a while ago).

This is what my GP told me too, basically. I would really like the vaccine. I'm 48 and I feel like I'm rolling the dice...

Re: Shingles Vaccine Linked to Slower Biological Aging in Older Adults

#17

Post by Qem »

tmhn2 wrote: post #13
Qem wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I tried to take it, but was refused because I'm still under the age of 50. Will try to convince a doctor to prescribe me.

I think one reason it's discouraged is that it's not completely clear how long it lasts, and getting it early may result in less protection later in life. Also it's only been tested in that age group. (At least, this is what I heard when I researched getting it early a while ago).

> I think one reason it's discouraged is that it's not completely clear how long it lasts, and getting it early may result in less protection later in life.

Can't one just take boosters later, like, one every decade?

Re: Shingles Vaccine Linked to Slower Biological Aging in Older Adults

#19

Post by happymellon »

Qem wrote: post #17
tmhn2 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think one reason it's discouraged is that it's not completely clear how long it lasts, and getting it early may result in less protection later in life. Also it's only been tested in that age group. (At least, this is what I heard when I researched getting it early a while ago).

> I think one reason it's discouraged is that it's not completely clear how long it lasts, and getting it early may result in less protection later in life. Can't one just take boosters later, like, one every decade?

https://www.ncoa.org/article/how-long-does-the-shingles-vacc...

> No Shingrix vaccine booster is currently available.

No, I'm not sure you can.

Re: Shingles Vaccine Linked to Slower Biological Aging in Older Adults

#20

Post by happymellon »

rippeltippel wrote: post #14
replwoacause wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would a doctor refuse to prescribe it before 50? Is there a harm to receiving it “early”?

In countries where vaccines are paid for by the state (partially or fully) doctors won't prescribe them unless there's a statistically significant benefit across the entire population. If it's generally accepted that shingles is more common/risky over 50, guidelines will prevent doctors from offering the vaccine before that age, essentially not to "waste" public money.

This is untrue.

In the UK everyone turning 65 is offered the vaccine on the NHS.

The problem is that long term effectiveness generally drops in vaccine. Although we haven't had Shingrix long enough to give great estimates long term evidence of this we have this:

https://www.ncoa.org/article/how-long-does-the-shingles-vacc...

> No Shingrix vaccine booster is currently available.

So if you get it when you are 50, it will be less effective when you are 80 and more vulnerable to shingles. It has nothing to do with "being state funded" and everything to do with giving it to people when they need it rather than wasting it on people who don't, who then can't have it when they actually do need it.

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