shingles vaccination

[Bettykerr]

What is your advice for people with ME and the shingles vaccination? Should a 71 year old person take the shingles vaccination? Is there a possibility that it may cause a flare up of ME symptoms? Have not had any problems with 'flu or pneumococcal vaccines.

[Dr Charles Shepherd]

Betty

As you are probably aware there is quite a lot of anecdotal patient information about the way in which certain vaccines - hepatitis B in particular - appear to sometimes produce an exacerbation of ME/CFS symptoms

The MEA has been collecting data on this for some time but we do not have any feedback from people in relation to this vaccine - because it is very new

There are certainly some sound reasons why people in the appropriate age groups should consider having this vaccine and you say you have not had any adverse reactions to other vaccines. So I suggest you discuss this with your doctor

More info on NHS Choices website:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinatio ... ation.aspx

The MEA has an information leaflet that summarises all the evidence - anecdotal and research - relating to vaccines and ME/CFS

MEA website and pdf literature order form: http://www.meassociation.org.uk

We would be interested to hear from anyone who has had this vaccine