shingrix

[Jim Reinders]

I was diagnosed with MDS in 2014. I’ve had the Zostavax injection for shingles but heard about Shingrix and how much more effective this is than the Zoxtavax. I contacted my physician about getting this and was told that they (Kaiser) has not determined whether patients with MDS should receive this Shingrix injections and that I need to wait and call in a couple of months to find out if the HMO determined it was appropriate for patients with MDS. Has anyone had any feed back regarding this?

[Beth Stanaland]

My oncologist said it is OK for MDS patients because it is an inactive virus. I’m going to get the vaccine. MDS patients need to avoid vaccines that contain a live virus but vaccines with in active virus are OK.

[Len Tillem]

I’ve had MDS for over 5 years now.
Next week I start Decitabine 3x a week every 28 days.
My oncologists, one here in Napa and one at UCSF,(the super blood disease specialist), told me to get the Shingrix vaccine. Since my immune system is compromised, I get Neupogen 2 or 3x a week, I am vulnerable to a Shingles attack.
I got the first Shingrix vaccine 2 moons ago. No problems.

[Jim Reinders]

Thank you Ben and Len for your comments. I also thought that since the virus is not a live one it should be alright for me. Len, the best to you in your start with the new medication.

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