I got the Shingrix, and it's especially important for those of us on immunosuppressants (anything other than HCQ). Rarely, herpes zoster, the virus that causes shingles, can lead to encephalitis (brain inflammation), and we are more prone to this complication as well as pneumonitis (lung inflammation). So we need all the protection we can get, and there's no live virus in the vaccine, so it's safe for us. Please discuss it with your doctor if you're uncertain, Lenore.

@A MyLupusTeam Member, I got the hepatitis shots in medical school due to the risk of needle sticks from procedures. These days, it's more widely recommended than back then (40 years ago), and I think it's fair to talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits for an average person.

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A MyLupus...

I got mine

I had 1 of the 2 but found out I'm allergic to it so no 2nd round.

I too struggled in my younger years about whether to vaccinate myself (and my child). There is so much (mis)information out there it can seem overwhelming to wade through it. After witnessing one of my parents struggle with shingles for two years where just wearing his shirt caused agony and after my sister got it in her eye and nearly lost her vision; I got the shingles vaccine. After nearly dying from pneumonia I now get my yearly flu shots, covid vaccine, the pneumococcal pneumonia and RSV one. My lungs are damaged and it was recommended that I take all the vaccines that could protect them. I had no adverse affects and I like having the peace of mind. It’s always a personal decision whether or not to vaccinate and we all have different risk tolerances. This is my journey and for the foreseeable future I will continue to vaccinate. Take care of yourselves.

@A MyLupusTeam Member.... I got the shingles vaccine, it comes in two doses. I had no side effects and it was recommended to me by both my primary and my rheumy.

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A MyLupus...