For the unvaccinated for covid 19. A short question.

[Muskrat]

I got the chicken pox when I was 17. Missed my first week of college classes because of it. I have not had the shingles vaccine. While I know it is painful and many people get shingles…many do not. I also have not had a flu vaccine since 2014. Did the first rounds of covid vaccines….but the strain not being near so virulent it no longer scares me. People need to talk among themselves or to their dr’s about what is good for them as individuals.

 

[gruntlabor]

... People need to talk among themselves or to their dr’s about what is good for them as individuals.

As you say, but I don't believe my doctor's opinion is his own anymore, he's dictated to from above.
For example, my husband's cardiologist received a warning from Medicare. An excessive number of prescriptions had been issued. The cardiologist took him off his gout rx (prescribed by his endocrinologist). You can imagine the results.
Anyway, today doctors have rules to follow. Not guidelines. Rules

 

[January]

I repeat: I have never had chicken pox. Period. The only way I could have got infected was by caring for my mother's shingles (putting lotion on it) when I was eight.

Perhaps. But almost everybody our age group has had CP, possibly from shingles in the situation you describe or exposure to other children, possibly spreading it before they have symptoms.
Some people have no symptoms - but they still have the dormant virus, hence can still develop shingles later in life.
the only way to know for sure is serology - ie blood test to check for antibodies.

 

[Alice November]

I had chicken pox twice and shingles twice. Been free from them for 30 yrs now. No shots though. I wouldn’t wish them on anyone but my worst enemies.

 

[StarSong]

I had chicken pox twice and shingles twice. Been free from them for 30 yrs now. No shots though. I wouldn’t wish them on anyone but my worst enemies.

I'm curious: If you've had shingles twice ad wouldn't wish them on your worst enemy, why wouldn't you get vaccinated to prevent a future attack?

 

[Been There]

I had chicken pox, so when the vaccine came out I took the shot, but then, a new vaccine came out that the doc told me I should consider taking it, although it’s 2 injections taken 2-3 months apart. I followed the doctor’s orders. No side-effects.

 

[January]

further t o above - in Australia eligible people who had the old shingles vaccine Zostavax more than 5 years ago can get funded Shingrix - which as previously mentioned is a 2 dose course, minimum 2 months between doses.

 

[Lethe200]

Spouse and I went to get our COVID and flu booster shots yesterday. We belong to Kaiser Permanente HMO, and all vaccination shots are free.

There was a short delay in approving the COVID booster, and we happened to be visiting our local Kaiser facility for a phys therapy treatment, on the first day the shots were approved. We were pleased to see there was a HUGE line of people waiting in line to get their boosters!

This is the second week and the big lines were fortunately gone. I mentioned the crowds to the nurse, and she laughed and said, "It was like that all week long! And then it continued on the Monday after because all the kids got out of school, so they came in for their shots too!"

I think we both caught a mild case of COVID when it first hit. We were both absolutely dragging, had no energy at all. Sore throat that wouldn't go away, but never developed into anything more serious like coughing. Took several weeks to recover, no fun.

Now we get boosters because like all viruses, the COVID virus has mutated and will continue to do so. We have friends who are unable to get vaxxed at all; they have compromised immune systems so even catching a severe cold is SERIOUS for them.

We do it as much for people like them, as we do it for ourselves. In the last year we've also gotten the updated shingles 2-shot, and tDAP booster. Due for tetanus in a couple of years, I think - that one's hard to remember because it's a 10-yr effectiveness span.