JABS

44 Why did I get shingle seven though I’ve had the jab?

SHINGLES is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox, explains Dr Nick Phin, of Public Health England.

‘The chickenpox virus isn’t completely eradicated from our body and can stay dormant in nerve cells for years. As long as you produce antibodies to the virus, it’s kept under control. When these antibodies fall — often due to a weakened immune system with age, for instance — the virus can get reactivated. Being around children with the virus can be a good thing for older people, as it keeps their antibody level boosted.’

The shingles vaccine cuts, but doesn’t eliminate, your risk. Studies have shown it reduced shingles cases by 38 per cent. In those who were vaccinated who then developed shingles, the vaccine significantly reduces the incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia, a common complication that can cause extremely disabling pain, by almost two thirds. Adults become eligible for the vaccine at 70 or 78, and remain eligible until their 80th birthday.

45 Can I get flu from the flujab?

YOU can’t get flu from the jab because it doesn’t contain live viruses, says Public Health England’s Dr Nick Phin. ‘The nasal spray vaccine for children contains live, but weakened, forms of flu virus — this won’t cause flu, either. But you may experience side-effects, such as a mild temperature or aching muscles for a few days. This shows the vaccine is working and your body’s producing a response.’

If you do get flu after the jab, it’s purely coincidence, adds virologist Professor John Oxford. ‘We tend to give the flu jab in October, November and leading up to Christmas — the prime time for respiratory infections when we’re socialising indoors.’

‘The incubation period is around three days; many people wrongly blame their symptoms on their jab when they’d already picked up a bug.