Can a Flu shot lead to Shingles?

I had a flu jab on Saturday and developed a rash 2 days later which is now confirmed as Shingles. Very painful. Surgery denied any link to the flu jab. I am 62

I had a flu shot on the October 3rd and in 10 days I had serious pain in
the left arm and shoulder. I went into the hospital and had a bunch of
tests to see if it was a heart attack or blocked blood supply or a back related
injury--------all test negative. I had shingles 4 years ago and then after a
year I took the anti shingles shot. This pain that starts in the shoulder blade
in the back goes down the back side of the arm to the elbow and on to the
wrist. It is a burning pain just like my shingles that I had before --but I do
not have a rash. I have several doctors looking at me trying to figure what
is going on. The only way for me to get through the day is with pain killers
every 6 hrs. It has been 10 days since I went into the Hospital for this pain
and today it seems to be slowing down. The pain is not as severe. Still no
rash. I have the anti-shingle pills to take but the Dr. did not want me to
take them unless I have a rash. So I am taking the pain killer pills and
not moving much because moving around makes it hurt more. I think
that the flu shot started this very serious shingles type pain and I will
not have another flu shot.
Jerry Smith

I work as an RN in a hospital, have a flu vaccine many times. However, this year, I had a flu vaccine on Monday, Tuesday I began having excruciating pain in my back, Wednesday I developed a left sided back rash and had to go to the doctor. I was diagnosed with Shingles. It is seriously painful, and I don't think I will be getting another flu shot after this, especially after reading everyone else's stories. Coincidence? I think not. By the way, I am only 36 years old.

In 2008 at age 52 and in very good health, I received the flu shot. I had received them numberous time before. They were also treating me for a sinus infection (which they should not have given me the flu shot) two days later, I woke up with 1/2 my face paralyzed and sores on 1/2 of my tongue, roof of mouth, back of throat, and ear canal. Turns out that I had shingles in my mouth that caused Bells Palsy to my face. My tongue turned black and all of the taste buds fell off. Took two months to regain my face muscles and I've been left with permanent nerve damage which is called pain neuralgia in my mouth. Most of the taste buds came back but many did not. the pain that the shingles have left me with 24/7 feels like I have hot peppers in my mouth all of the time. There are medications for this pain neuralgia but they just make me loopy so that I don't care about the pain. There is nothing that will restore the nerve damage. Many, many doctors and specilists had never seen this occur - but none will go as far as to say that the flu shot caused the whole thing. Me? I'll NEVER EVER get a flu shot again. I'd rather be layed up with the flu.

Michelle asked: "Has anyone ever heard of this or had this happen to them?"
I.e., that a flu jab has caused shingles.
Yes, a former in-law of mine, a woman in her early-seventies developed these problems after getting this year's vaccination.
If you want more details I'll find out as her brother,another ex in-law is a medic.

I also developed shingles last week for the first time. I had a flu shot for the first time in almost 20 years 3 weeks ago. It does seem related. not sure that I'll get the flu shot again

I am a 71 year old male on good health and I am not on any medications. In December 2009 I got a flu shot and a couple of weeks later I got shingles. Last year I got a shingles vaccination. On Nov. 7, 2012 I got a flu shot and 4 or 5 days later I got a reoccurance of shingles. I am now convinced that the flu vaccination can trigger sshingles and I won't be getting another flu shot.

I developed shingles within a week of receiving a flu shot. I normally avoid getting flu shots, but made an exception this year. I am a 51 year old female with minimal stress and I do not believe my immune system is compromised in any way. It just seemed like an unusual coincidence.

I got a flu shot at work in mid-October; three weeks later (now) I am dealing with Shingles, and the associated pain, blisters, and general unwell feeling. I am 52 and have never had Shingles before. I am not under any undue stress nor do I have any other illness, so I strongly believe that the flu shot triggered the latent chicken pox virus to become active -- especially after hearing that other people have experienced the same thing. Shingles is a nightmarish illness; once this is over I hope I never have another recurrence!

I work in the NHS and was offered the flu jab from occupational health. I accepted. I developed shingles within a week and ended up having time off work.