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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

#21

Post by adrian_b »

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.

I can confirm that it should be a good idea to get the vaccine.

Many years ago, I had shingles and it was a great torture for a few months, until the pain faded away. It was almost impossible to sleep, which made everything worse than just because of the pain.

The antiviral treatment that I had started promptly had a very obvious effect, but even with that a very long time passed until the pain gradually decreased so much as to be no longer felt.

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

#23

Post by willmacdonald »

happymellon wrote: post #20
rippeltippel wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 wi…

I'm about to get my second shot of Shingrix. In the clinic it says it lasts for about 12 years. I think it just means you can return in 12 years.

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

#24

Post by alexgieg »

a-french-anon wrote: post #16

Am I the only one who has a more circumspect reaction to such finding/claim? The idea that vaccines have unknown (since they're discovered much latter) effects very much separate from what they're supposed to do isn't reassuring to me...

No, you're in the companion of anti-vaxxers, an all-American conspiracy theory spreading globally that denies hard evidence in favor of vague feelings of maybe this and maybe that and maybe the other thing and OMG we're so afraid and what if...

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

#25

Post by happymellon »

willmacdonald wrote: post #23
happymellon wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 wi…

I'm about to get my second shot of Shingrix. In the clinic it says it lasts for about 12 years. I think it just means you can return in 12 years.

You might want to check with your doctor about that, as that is not what the NCOA is implying.

I would really like to be wrong, as the shingles vaccine is less than £500 privately in the UK for both shots, and that would be worth it to not get shingles.

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

#27

Post by rippeltippel »

happymellon wrote: post #20
rippeltippel wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 wi…

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

That's precisely my point: you're not offered one before 50.

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

#28

Post by pmdulaney »

When I got the shingles vaccine two years ago it was the worst I've had in terms of site pain and general malaise, but certainly wasn't as bad as some people here are recounting.

My pharmacist said he knew someone who had gone blind in one eye from shingles, so that was a vivid motivator for me to get vaccinated!

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

#29

Post by robocat »

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).

> it's not completely clear how long it lasts

This explanation assumes we won't develop a better vaccine in a decade.

Shingrix was expensive. I knew too many people with horrific Shingles.

A couple of days of very mild flu symptoms for me.

Plan to avoid mental or physical responsibilities or events for 2 days after the shot.

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

#30

Post by reverendjames »

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.

They won't let you until you turn 50, I tried. If you do get it before then, the doctor could get into trouble. That's what I was told.
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