2nd Shingles vaccine in Bangkok?

[Alexjkr]

I had the shingles vaccination about 4 years ago. I was never told that I needed a second shot. The only problem was I was due get a covid vaccination at the same time then there was a last minute decision not to have covid and shingles at the same time.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

 

 

Sheryl, I've got an upcoming Medicare trip back to the U.S. later this year that I was planning to include getting a free Shingles vaccine first shot.

 

I'm also due for a COVID current-year version booster, since it's been about a year since my last one.

 

Do you know anything about the advisability of getting a shingles and COVID vaccine shot at the same time, and whether there are any potential issues in doing so?

 

Thanks!

 

PS - If I needed to wait and do them separately, I'd probably still plan to get the Shingles shot in the U.S. under Medicare, as it's the more expensive one here in Thailand, and then get the COVID one here, if need be....

 

 

[Sheryl]

Just now, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Sheryl, I've got an upcoming Medicare trip back to the U.S. later this year that I was planning to include getting a free Shingles vaccine first shot.

 

I'm also due for a COVID current-year version booster, since it's been about a year since my last one.

 

Do you know anything about the advisability of getting a shingles and COVID vaccine shot at the same time, and whether there are any potential issues in doing so?

 

Thanks!

 

You can get both at the same time.  Studied and found safe. Theyt should use different arms, though

 

"Recombinant and adjuvanted vaccines (like Shingrix) can be administered concomitantly at different anatomic sites with other adult vaccines. This includes COVID-19 vaccines."

https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/hcp/vaccine-considerations/index.html

 

That said, it is possible that minor side effects would be worse, but on other hand would go through it once rather than twice.

 

Do you have Medicare Part D, or a Medicare Supplement/Advantage Pklan? Because regular Medicare (A+B) does not pay for Shingles vaccine. Part A will cover COVID, but not Shingrix or RSV (you might also like ot get RSV will you are at it, if you haven't already).

 

[Sheryl]

17 minutes ago, Alexjkr said:

I had the shingles vaccination about 4 years ago. I was never told that I needed a second shot. The only problem was I was due get a covid vaccination at the same time then there was a last minute decision not to have covid and shingles at the same time.

which vaccine did you get, Zostavax or Shingrix?

[Magictoad]

18 hours ago, connda said:

Get your Covid boosters too.  And flu, and RSV.  Can't be too safe.  Oh, pneumonia shots. Don't forget those. Oh, and measles and yellow fever are becoming a thing in the US.  If your traveling on international flights, yellow-fever and MMR shot might be in order as well.  And Covid boosters. Never forget those.  Covid is a killer.  Be safe out there!

That sarcasm is silly. Measles is a really important vaccine, as for the ones you refer to they too are very important. Only Americans have this ignorance about vaccine partially because they have to pay for them but in most civilised countries they are free. Especially Polio and Measles.

[TimBKK]

FWIW, I got the first Shingrix shot 4 years ago, but neglected to get the second.  So, I asked Perplexity:

 

”Yes, you can still get the second dose of Shingrix even if it has been 4 years since your first dose. The CDC recommends the second dose be given 2 to 6 months after the first, but if more than 6 months have passed, you do not need to restart the series; just get the second dose as soon as possible. Studies show that the vaccine remains effective even if the second dose is delayed beyond 6 months, and completing the two-dose series provides much better protection than only one dose”

[Alexjkr]

5 hours ago, Sheryl said:

which vaccine did you get, Zostavax or Shingrix?

I have no idea. Bank holiday this week end. I will check next week.

 

[proton]

9 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Either she  mispoke or you misheard.

 

The NHS package insert states 2 - 6 months. You will find link here

 

https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/shingles-vaccine/

 

You can also look up online the manufacturer's insert.  

 

You are right the package does say 6 months, but she definitely said 6-12

[jerrymahoney]

I realize there were some posts above that, to wit, only the sheeple get all of the vaccines. However, this topic is on shingles and that is a nasty illness to get and will only occur to persons that had chicken pox as a kid.

From the Mayo clinic:

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you've had chickenpox, the virus stays in your body for the rest of your life. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.

Shingles isn't life-threatening. But it can be very painful.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353054

[VR333]

56 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

Shingles isn't life-threatening. But it can be very painful.

I know a few people who have had shingles later in life. All said it was some of the worst pain they had suffered. One took four weeks to recover and said it was the worst pain she ever had.

 

My cousin delayed going to a doctor, and it affected his eyesight. He lived for another two years (he had cancer), and despite seeing several specialists, the blurred vision in one eye from shingles never went away. 

 

Like most people have said above, two to six months after for the second dose in Australia according to the information sheet I was given after the first dose.

 

 

[jerrymahoney]

On 4/18/2025 at 12:06 AM, connda said:

Heard the second Shingrix shot hurts like a motherf....bear.  💉

NB that the second Shingrix shot doesn't hurt if you haven't had the first.

[scoutman360]

On 4/17/2025 at 11:19 PM, Sheryl said:

 

 

https://www.medconsultasia.com/vaccinations/

 

You need to know which shingles vaccine you had. All if the above clinics have Shingrix but I think just the first 2 have Zostavax/SkyRoster

 

 

I can confirm Medconsult has Shingrix. I got both my shots there recently. Also, they seemed to have the best prices I could find, looking around. 

[proton]

14 minutes ago, scoutman360 said:

I can confirm Medconsult has Shingrix. I got both my shots there recently. Also, they seemed to have the best prices I could find, looking around. 

 

What did it cost?

[jerrymahoney]

https://www.medconsultasia.com/vaccinations/

[Sheryl]

15 hours ago, scoutman360 said:

I can confirm Medconsult has Shingrix. I got both my shots there recently. Also, they seemed to have the best prices I could find, looking around. 

Agreed though diffrrence is not huge, and mainly because unlike some places there is no doctor fee add on. 

[JohanB]

Now, thanks to this thread, I know what I had in nov-2017. It was on my back just below the left shoulder blade. Not very painful or itchy and at that time I didn’t know what it was. It just faded away, but I took a photo before anyway….
It was seven years ago, so it’s said I have a 5%-risk/year of having it again.

Going to do the Shingrix vacc this autumn, when I return to Thailand. 

Have checked with a hospital in Nakhon Sawan and costs around B 5500 for both.

Very costly here in Sweden (SEK5500 = US$500)

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

On 4/18/2025 at 5:28 PM, Sheryl said:

Do you have Medicare Part D, or a Medicare Supplement/Advantage Pklan? Because regular Medicare (A+B) does not pay for Shingles vaccine. Part A will cover COVID, but not Shingrix or RSV (you might also like ot get RSV will you are at it, if you haven't already).

 

 

I have Medicare Part D and a Medicare Supplement plan, so I believe I'm covered for the Shingles vax under Part D.

 

I also have been considering the RSV vax, but it's probably a lower priority for me, in part because I'm on the low end of the age range that it has been recommended for in the U.S.

 

I also have seen some reporting lately on findings that it can have a somewhat increased risk (though still very small) for GBS... But haven't had time to dig into the details of that issue as yet to know what to make of it.

 

[Bagwain]

On 4/17/2025 at 11:36 PM, still kicking said:

Had my COVID-19 and my flu one, and measles, and I am going to LOS

 

[Sheryl]

15 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I have Medicare Part D and a Medicare Supplement plan, so I believe I'm covered for the Shingles vax under Part D.

 

 

Yes if you have part D it is fully covered. I only have Parts A & B  si had to pay for it.