This may not be helpful to a lot of people as you may know all this data already. But just in case, since I didn’t know some of this myself and since it definitely affected myself and other family members, I wanted to share this. My husband and I received the “old” shingles vaccine (Zostavax) about eleven years ago. The cost was $200.00 per shot and you only got one which insurance did not cover. What I did not know until recently was that it was only about 51% effective and only lasted about five years. The new Shingrix vaccine is given in two separate shots about two to six months apart and is supposed to be at least 91% effective and is supposedly effective for at least four years. Many researchers believe that getting the second shot makes it effective for many more than four years. Believe me, as a Physician, I have had experience with patients, friends and family members that suffered from shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) pain “forever.” It was horrible. You do not want to take that chance.
Here is another surprising thing I want to share with you. At a recent Family Doctor visit with my daughter who requested a Shingrix shot, she was told that if she got it there (Doctor’s office) that the charge would be $200.00 per shot but that if she got it at a Pharmacy it would be free! I was shocked. So I started calling around to different Pharmacies and was surprised to find a marked difference in prices. Forgive my ignorance here as I’ll bet most people already know that. Anyway, she and my husband and I and my son (who had shingles years ago) and my daughter-in-law will be getting the vaccine next week. All will pay different prices as per insurance coverage. But to my knowledge so far, we will all pay something. Not one family person will get it “free.” I found the best price for me is through GoodRX and it will be $155.00 per shot.
Who should get the new vaccine? Check with your Physician and remember that about 99% of people in the USA have had Chicken Pox at some point and the Varicella Zoster Virus (that causes Chicken Pox) just hangs around and years later can pop up as Shingles with many recurring episodes and lots of pain and frequently PHN which can be debilitating. There are some researchers that believe a person who doesn’t remember having Chicken Pox to the point of actually thinking they did not ever have it should be tested for immunity to Varicella Zoster Virus and if negative should get the Chicken Pox Vaccine. Also, if you currently have shingles you should wait until the rash (blisters) have completely resolved. But no matter what, check with your personal Physician and do your own research. But I hope I have come across as strongly recommending you get the new Shingrix if you and your Doctor agree. Good luck.
If you have thoughts and/or comments on this subject I would love to hear it.
P. S.: I was wrong about the cost of the Shingrix Vaccine. One of my family members that has Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurance got his shot totally free. Mine was $153.00 with GoodRX. Also, you might wish to know that two family members (so far) did not have any problems after the shot. I, on the other hand, had a lot of soreness for days.
