Thoughts on Measles outbreak?

[FlightlessDuck]

My DH had a Stem Cell transplant in 2012 and cannot be revaccinated for MMR so this makes me mad.

Another dose is only necessary if you didn't get your two standard doses starting in 1967.

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/some-adults-need-to-be-revaccinated-against-measles-021115#2

 

[Geoff_M]

Although younger people can get it, shingles is predominantly a consequence of aging and the decline of the immune system. Once you have chicken pox, the virus stays with you, hanging out in certain nerve cells. As you age, it can manifest again as the extremely painful shingles. Shingrix is FDA approved for 50 and older. You would probably have to move a mountain to get your insurance to pay for it if you are under 50.

An added note on this subject. At my physical last year, at age 54, I asked for the Shingles vaccine. They asked me if I had checked at what age my insurance covered the vaccine. I said that I had not. They declined my request because they said that I should check first because different insurance companies offer coverage at different ages. Age 54 is not "old enough" to assume the cost would be covered.

 

[Searc]

Another dose is only necessary if you didn't get your two standard doses starting in 1967.

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/some-adults-need-to-be-revaccinated-against-measles-021115#2

My guess is a Stem Cell transplant somehow negates that and for whatever reason, he would be unable to be re-vaccinated because of the transplant.

*is not a doctor, pure speculation, honestly has no idea how it works

 

[Ariel484]

Both my husband and I discourage our children from having our grandchildren vaccinated.

I'm guessing you won't be back in this thread to address this, but I hope your children don't listen to you.

 

[ronandannette]

An added note on this subject. At my physical last year, at age 54, I asked for the Shingles vaccine. They asked me if I had checked at what age my insurance covered the vaccine. I said that I had not. They declined my request because they said that I should check first because different insurance companies offer coverage at different ages. Age 54 is not "old enough" to assume the cost would be covered.

Just curious - how much would it cost if you paid OOP? This vaccine isn't provided here by public health care. My supplemental private insurance currently does cover it, but 10 years ago when DH got it, his plan did not. If I recollect correctly, the vaccine was $118 + $20 for the injection.

 

[Eeyore2142]

I'm guessing you won't be back in this thread to address this, but I hope your children don't listen to you.

Right? This is one of those "times your are glad you didn't listen to mom" points.

 

[snappy]

My mother and my husband both paid about $150 or more last year and this year for each of two Shingrix vaccinations covered under two Part D Medicare plans. I bet it’s more out of pocket. Had to wait months for the second shot for mom. Back ordered.

 

[kaytieeldr]

*is not a doctor, pure speculation, honestly has no idea how it works

But did you stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night?

 

[Searc]

But did you stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night?

*sigh* Unfortunately not.

 

[kirstenb1]

The new vaccine is more effective, however, it is much more painful post vaccination and everyone gets sore from it. Plus, as you mentioned, you need a two-dose series. It is a lot less painful than shingles though. Shingles can get in the eyes, one of the spots where the virus stays dormant, and this can be very serious. There is a supply and demand issue with Shingrix as well. I would recommend everyone get on the books for it so you can get it when it is available.

I'm one of the unfortunate people who did get shingles of the optic nerve last September. My cornea has permanent scarring, and the pain was indescribable for about 5 weeks. I now have post shingles neuralgia, and it is not as bad as actual shingles, it is still with me 24/7. It (the actual shingles) was the worst pain I have ever experienced. I have an appointment with my doctor to see if I can get the vaccine. I thought it was a no brainer, but with the neuralgia, I think he's a little hesitant for me to have the vaccine right now.

 

[ronandannette]

My mother and my husband both paid about $150 or more last year and this year for each of two Shingrix vaccinations covered under two Part D Medicare plans. I bet it’s more out of pocket. Had to wait months for the second shot for mom. Back ordered.

Hmmm - I'm scheduled to receive my first dose in about a week. They didn't mention a shortage to me or if the wait for the second dose would be any longer than the recommended 2 months. Does the first dose provide at least partial protection?

On another note, yesterday we had a long-awaited and hotly-contested provincial election (Premier and Members of the Legislative Assembly are equivalent to your Governor and State Reps). There are multiple parties here and both health care and education are under provincial jurisdiction. Only one party promised to make vaccinations mandatory for public school admission and it was a fairly prominent part of their platform. They didn't win a single seat.

 

[sk!mom]

Another dose is only necessary if you didn't get your two standard doses starting in 1967.

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/some-adults-need-to-be-revaccinated-against-measles-021115#2

My guess is a Stem Cell transplant somehow negates that and for whatever reason, he would be unable to be re-vaccinated because of the transplant.

*is not a doctor, pure speculation, honestly has no idea how it works

You are correct. After a stem cell transplant, you start your vaccinations all over. He has a brand new shot record. However you can’t get any vaccination that contains a live virus- MMR, Shingles.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

You are correct. After a stem cell transplant, you start your vaccinations all over. He has a brand new shot record. However you can’t get any vaccination that contains a live virus- MMR, Shingles.

OK,. this makes sense. I thought @Searc was talking about this because adults were supposed to, in general, get MMR boosters. But her DH has a specific situation.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm one of the unfortunate people who did get shingles of the optic nerve last September. My cornea has permanent scarring, and the pain was indescribable for about 5 weeks. I now have post shingles neuralgia, and it is not as bad as actual shingles, it is still with me 24/7. It (the actual shingles) was the worst pain I have ever experienced. I have an appointment with my doctor to see if I can get the vaccine. I thought it was a no brainer, but with the neuralgia, I think he's a little hesitant for me to have the vaccine right now.

Yikes. That must've been excruciating! What is the neuralgia like?

 

[skyblue17]

Wish I had known about vaccine dangers before we had our kids vaccinated. Both my husband and I discourage our children from having our grandchildren vaccinated.

How many of those with measles were unvaccinated? In California, there was an outbreak of whooping cough and 100% of the children who caught it had been vaccinated. Makes you wonder how effective or, in this case ineffective, the vaccines are. If the vaccines worked, why are children who have been vaccinated getting the diseases?

Hopefully you also discourage your children from bringing your grandkids to the playground, participating in dance/sports or going to Disney, since they would then be a public health hazard.

 

[DisneyOma]

This is my understanding as well. I never caught chicken pox as a child and I was in high school when the vaccine came out so I got it. (Realized a couple years ago they are now recommending adults get a 2nd one, so I did that.) So anyway, it sounds like I am not going to ever have to worry about getting Shingles!!! As we've seen from this thread, not being at risk of Shingles is BIG!

Isn't that amazing?! Way To Go Vaccines!

You can still get the chicken pox if you've had the vaccine (about 2% will), but it should be a very mild case. But if you do get it, then you can get shingles.

An interesting point for all the antivaxers reading this thread. If you had chickenpox and get shingles, you can pass it along to your unvaccinated children in the form of chickenpox. They can then give that "gift" to their own children if they stay on the same antiscience path. You can also give that gift to immune compromised individuals who cannot be vaccinated.

It's very, very hard to get chicken pox from someone who has shingles. I actually lanced my husband's shingles (thinking they were whiteheads) and touched the fluid and didn't get chicken pox from it.

My guess is a Stem Cell transplant somehow negates that and for whatever reason, he would be unable to be re-vaccinated because of the transplant.

*is not a doctor, pure speculation, honestly has no idea how it works

Before the transplant, did he have chemo? Chemo will kill the immune system, and so you'd need new vaccines, when it is safe.

 

[kirstenb1]

Yikes. That must've been excruciating! What is the neuralgia like?

Some days its okay, some days it's pretty painful. I have Gabapentin for it, but I don't think it's working that effectively for me. I have tried higher doses at bedtime, but man am I groggy the next day. Stress and sunlight seem to make it worse. I love the outdoors, and am hoping maybe if I wear a hat and sunglasses I'll be able to get out there. We have season passes to Busch Gardens and Water Country, and I really love both.

 

[starry_solo]

An added note on this subject. At my physical last year, at age 54, I asked for the Shingles vaccine. They asked me if I had checked at what age my insurance covered the vaccine. I said that I had not. They declined my request because they said that I should check first because different insurance companies offer coverage at different ages. Age 54 is not "old enough" to assume the cost would be covered.

Ugh...mom had Shingles a few years ago.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Some days its okay, some days it's pretty painful. I have Gabapentin for it, but I don't think it's working that effectively for me. I have tried higher doses at bedtime, but man am I groggy the next day. Stress and sunlight seem to make it worse. I love the outdoors, and am hoping maybe if I wear a hat and sunglasses I'll be able to get out there. We have season passes to Busch Gardens and Water Country, and I really love both.

Yes, the gabapentin can do that, unfortunately. I hope it lessens over time for you.

 

[cabanafrau]

Insurance will not cover it, generally, when you are less than 50. You'd be paying entirely OOP, and that would be pretty expensive. Certainly, you are free here to get it you'll just pay.

Our insurance will not pay until 60. Talked last year with my doctor about getting the vaccine and he told me to keep trying at the local pharmacies, because they have been unable to procure the vaccine at all -- not only in their offices, but within the hospital system their practice belongs to. I've inquired several times at several locations with no luck.

This year will mark five years since my mother had shingles. She still suffers bouts of back pain across the area where the rash was. Her activity level has never rebounded to where it was since she had it because she now has at least some level of pain there at all times. She's been trying to get the vaccine as well, but has gone through the same lack of supply at her doctors' office and when she has checked pharmacies for the shot her doctor recommended she get at her age.