*waves vaguely*

[cvirtue]

Yes, I still exist, but mostly I'm on FB because the format fits better with my rather interrupt-driven existence, which is not directly related to the PSA

Comments

[the_thread_lady]

My insurance gives you the shingles vaccine free - after you are 60. I sent my husband in on his birthday.

It should be available to *anyone* who ever had the chicken pox. At some point, someone is going to sue for the pain and suffering from shingles because the were denied the vaccine for being too young.

[batwrangler]

My pharmacy advertises it but it seems to only be available to people over 60. :(

[cvirtue]

This is weird; I replied last night but it seems to have vanished.

You can get the vaccine if you pay for it yourself. Sometimes.

[metageek]

Possibly because the CDC recommends it only for people over 60-although the FDA allows for people over 50.

[cvirtue]

My Dr, and one of the articles I read last night, said they changed the age for 2 reasonsreasons. 1: it only works for 6 years after the shot, and people over 60 usually have a much worse attack, and 2: shortage of supplies because it's made with the same equipment as regular chicken pox vaccine.

[luscious_purple]

I've never had chicken pox. I wonder whether I should be vaccinated for *that* disease, never mind shingles.

[cvirtue]

"Dr. Harpaz, notes that some people who got the chicken-pox vaccine may unknowingly harbor the actual virus because the vaccine doesn't prevent 100% of cases, and some people may have had a mild, unnoticeable case before they were vaccinated."

[cvirtue]

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704476604576158262168447774

Shingles can strike twice

[herveus]

Hmmm…I had chicken pox as a child and I've had a (blessedly mild) case of shingles in my 40s (IIRC).

[pamelina]

I got that vaccine as soon as I turned 60.