There seems to be a common misconception that the shingles vaccine is available to those aged 70 – 79 years. Those eligible are aged 70 this year, or 79 this year only.
At 78 years I have just had shingles badly, followed by post shingles neuralgia, eight weeks of pain, non-stop night and day, also intense itching for three days and nights. Nothing stopped the pain. I had bouts of shaking, fever and found everything so hard to do as I am a carer for my husband.
Finally my doctor prescribed something that worked and I am on the mend, but have a very shaky hand. I find it difficult to write and am waiting to see a neurologist.
Whose insane idea was it to exclude people aged 71-78 years from the shingles vaccine? It should be available to this age group.
Daphne Faulds, Chelmsford
