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Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I am sure you are right that your previous jab would have been the pneumococcal vaccine.
It is given to young babies and people over the age of 65.
And, I think, anyone with a long term health condition - such as kidney problems or heart disease.
And, yes, it is a one -off .
But regarding the Shingles jab, it says in the NHS reference that even if one has already had Shingles, it is still advisable to have the Shingles vaccination.
So maybe ask your GP (if he doesn't mention it) when you do go for your flu jab?
I finished the Times QC, as that doesn't take me long!
But I am only half way through the 15 x15 - I had to go out, and haven't been back to it since!
Your son is brilliant bringing you these meals!
What did you get today?

Hello, Elle!
Nobody has mentioned shingles to me, or flu, come to that.
Not heard from surgery.
Maybe NHS Scotland does not do shingles jabs?
They are very enthusiastic about 5 a day though!
I have "debates" with the nurses about that!
I am not sure what my son brought.
He put it in my fridge when he arrived.
Yes, he is a good lad thinking of his Dad.
I am very appreciative.
I gave him a large Madeira cake to take home.
La Bamba's favourite!

Hi, Rusty!
As I didn't even know until today that shingles vaccinations existed, I am no help there!
I phoned the surgery, though, to organise my husband's flu jab?
Maybe you can ring the doctor to make an appointment, if you normally have a jab?
I was amused to see a clue (13d) in the 15 x 15 about a "hoist" !
I did manage to do it!
It didn't specify whether it was to do with "Hill's"!
How is Miss La Bamba - has she recovered from her cold?

Hello, Elle!
I think I know why they have not contacted me.
They are contacting folk by text message and do not have my mobile phone number.
I have been on the practice website and that is the info.
AND...one of the lady doctors is providing "tray bake"?
Whatever would that be, I wonder?
I do not think La Bamba had a cold.
She was sick, too. Some other bug, probably.

rusty, a tray bake is just that- a cake or biscuity type mix baked in a large flat tin and cut into slices afterwards. Quite often the bake is iced before cutting. I make one which has a sponge on the base, then a layer of plums or apricots and then something like a crumble on top of that. Well, I used to. Don't really bake much now.

I was pleased to have been offered a shingles vaccination as my mother-in-law was never the same again after getting it. I decided not to have a pneumonia one (not that one has been offered) because I remember how much my father wanted to die and welcomed pneumonia, hiding it from us.

Hello, Rosalind!
Thank you for the info!
The tray bake sounds smashing!
I had shingles about 40 years ago across my shoulder.
It was painful.
To this day the cold weather causes a painful reaction where it was.
A vaccination is a good idea.

aaargh rusty that does sound nasty. I had read about the vaccination and was going to ask if I could pay for one, when they began to offer them to certain ages of people and I got lucky.
My mother in law had a huge rash on her back and was hardly ever comfortable again. She winced every time she got up from a chair , for years.

Hello, Rosalind.
I can well understand your mother-in-law's pain.
Shingles are nasty.
Thankfully, i am only bothered in very cold weather.
But it put the kybosh on me going to see my local football team in a freezing January etc.
After twenty minutes, it got very painful.
Not pleasant, at all!

Hi, Rusty!
I am supposed to be gone to bed!
The aftermath of your Shingles does sound uncomfortable - it definitely would be worth your having a vaccination.
As I have had chicken pox three times ( !) and have been warned about the possibility of catching it again ( I know several fellow sufferers too ) it would be unwise for me to have a shingles jab.
The zoster vaccine is live and it is possible to get chicken pox from it.
I am obviously "prone" so it would be too much of a risk.
I also caught whooping cough each time I was vaccinated - so I was duly informed!
I've had measles twice, too!
I don't think my immune system is up to much!
Mind you, on the plus side, I have never had flu!!!!
...........And now, I really am going to bed!

Good morning, Elle!
I may have had the shingles jab, I have no idea!
I'll ask my nurse when I get 'flu jab.
My shingles pain happens rarely.
Just if I have been hanging about in very cold weather.
I mean, I can go out walking etc and it does not appear.
But, watching a football match is out.
So, I think I am very fortunate compared to others, like Rosalind's mother-in-law.
Especially if I can get a bit of "tray bake"!
Wonder if there is coffee on the go, too?
These "jabs" sound better and better!