Shingrix Vaccine - How much are you paying?

I'm finding the cash price (and goodrx.com) is cheaper than the Medicare price.

It is two vials/vaccinations taken two to six months apart.

Interesting that you mentioned this. I've been looking into it since I heard about it the beginning of the year. Originally, Medicare wasn't paying for it. It is now but as you said, probably cheaper elsewhere. Even if you had the original shingles shot which I had back in 2010, it is advised to get the shot (2) again. If you have Medicare and a supplement, it's totally covered. I believe Walgreens charges around $220.

Just paid $157 up here for the 1st one.

I just got the 1st shot. My insurance paid it at 100%, yea. I just wanted to say that my arm was really sore for about 3 days. I wondered if anyone else had that happen?

Thank you for the heads-up. Did not even know there was a better vaccine out there.
The bullfrog and I had the Zostavax, but he had shingles about a year or two after.
Both of his parents had horrendous cases of shingles in their later years.
It weakened them terribly.
Worth it at any price. I had to pay for Zostavax out of pocket--stupid BCBS!

Cardsfan wrote: ↑

Tue May 22, 2018 5:22 pm

I just got the 1st shot. My insurance paid it at 100%, yea. I just wanted to say that my arm was really sore for about 3 days. I wondered if anyone else had that happen?

This happens to me with any vaccine. I ended up at the ER after getting a tetanus shot 15 years ago. Next time you get a vaccine, raise your arm periodically and move and flex it. Made a huge difference. Have not had this problem again.

If you have a supplemental policy, make sure that they cover directly and where you should go. When I had a tetanus at the clinic, I had to apply for reimbursement. Having it elsewhere would have been covered directly.

I'm so glad you mentioned this because I didn't realize Medicare had started covering it. I've already had shingles once and would like to avoid another bout, but I couldn't take live vaccine because I'm immunocompromised. Even though Shingrix is inactive, I'll have to talk to my doctor about it because the info I'm seeing isn't very clear about those who are on immunosuppressant therapy.

But to answer the question, I checked and with my Medicare advantage plan, I'd pay $50.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Tue May 22, 2018 6:28 pm

Thank you for the heads-up. Did not even know there was a better vaccine out there.
The bullfrog and I had the Zostavax, but he had shingles about a year or two after.
Both of his parents had horrendous cases of shingles in their later years.
It weakened them terribly.
Worth it at any price. I had to pay for Zostavax out of pocket--stupid BCBS!

I've had too many friends with very bad cases. Some had Zostavax, some were not vaccinated. One had a line that started at her scalp and grew toward an eye. The doctor was afraid she would lose sight in that eye, but it stopped at her brow.

Do you thing a CPAPer could get it in a place where the mask or straps were? That would be horrible.

InnerGlow wrote: ↑

Tue May 22, 2018 10:07 pm

I checked and with my Medicare advantage plan, I'd pay $50.

You must have one of the expensive advantage plans.

BTW, it's two shots. The second should be taken two to six months after the first.

Cardsfan wrote: ↑

Tue May 22, 2018 5:22 pm

I just got the 1st shot. My insurance paid it at 100%, yea. I just wanted to say that my arm was really sore for about 3 days. I wondered if anyone else had that happen?

With any vaccination, I always figure if my arm is sore, I got my money's worth. If not, I wonder if they gave me a placebo.

Thanks ChicagoGranny for posting this. I had the Zostavax and didn't know there was a new more effective one. I will be discussing it at my next doctors appt.

This will vary by state, but in many states, if you are over a certain age (usually 60), you can get the vaccine without a prescription - just like going to the pharmacy for a flu shot.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Wed May 23, 2018 11:07 am

With any vaccination, I always figure if my arm is sore, I got my money's worth. If not, I wonder if they gave me a placebo.

Years ago, when i caught pneumonia (My grandmother always told me if I went outside with a wet head after showering I'd catch my "death of pneumonia" (which always made me wonder how I didn't drop dead on the spot while swimming), of course when I DID get pneumonia, it was 105f in the shade in a Texas summer, but, I digress) the initial round of antibiotics they gave me was something that hurt so bad (they said) that they split the injection up in half, and cut it 50/50 with lidocane to numb the pain..... one in each cheek.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Wed May 23, 2018 11:04 am

. . .
Do you thing a CPAPer could get it in a place where the mask or straps were? That would be horrible.

My father-in-law had it on his scalp-right where headgear often sits.
The pain was so intense. Nothing could relieve the pain until he tried tea tree oil.
Warning! He started on a very small area first--that stuff is potent!

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Tue May 22, 2018 12:48 pm

I'm finding the cash price (and goodrx.com) is cheaper than the Medicare price.

It is two vials/vaccinations taken two to six months apart.

My Medicare and supplemental paid 100%.

I would get it even if it was $500 a shot. I have a friend that came down with shingles a few years ago and he nearly went blind from it and couldn't sleep in a bed for a year.