OT: Shingles vaccine hoopla

It was stated earlier that shingles was not contagious but it is until the lesions scab over. It can transmit chickenpox to people that have not had the virus and in some people this can be dangerous. https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur

LSAT wrote:Based on your logic, I suppose that you never had you children vaccinated for measles either. I'm guessing that you don't get the flu vaccine yearly either.

Don't know what logic you are applying to make that assumption. I never had children. I get my flu vaccine every November. Flu vaccine is FREE under Medicare. The cost of Shingles vaccine under Part D can cost me $120-150 depending on plan. I have enough trouble paying current medical expenses and BiPAP. Can I justify paying that kind of money every two years? Until I see a longer lasting vaccine or one that is more effective, getting vaccine is low on the list of things I must have.

Many report mild cases of shingles if treated early with antivirals which cost much less. The risk of shingles is higher at 70 than at 60. Get it now and I will not be protected in my more vulnerable years 70+. Vaccine only protects for 5 years at most.

Mayo Clinic website says the risk of getting shingles at age 70 is 1% and 10% from 70-79. It is obviously lower for those in their 60s. So if the vaccine is only given once in life time and only provides protection for 2-5 years, it would make sense to get it to cover the most vulnerable years, 70+.

Thanks OkyDoky. My bad. So you aren't just hurting yourself if you choose not to be vaccinated. Great.

However, I do know the Shingles vaccine is a one-time shot. It isn't vaccinating you for a new virus so you don't have to have multiple doses to build immunity. It isn't an RNA virus and is not subject to antigenic drift, hence no need to vaccinate every two years. Or every year, or ever again. The Shingles vaccine is derived from a live virus. It's sole purpose is to boost the antibody response that has waned over the many years since one was originally infected. It's a reminder for your immune system, if you will.

Why do you keep coming back with a new objection whenever facts are presented to you debunking your claims? Your entire argument is a logical fallacy. It's called moving the goalposts.

Our emergency valacyclovir is always fresh, and within reach.
Most doctors will write a Rx for this, but it has to be used as soon as you notice the first symptoms,
--Especially if you have had shingles AFTER having the vaccine.
If you cannot afford the vaccine, you could ask for valacyclovir, which is inexpensive in the generic,
but hubby and both of his parents have suffered shingles, and I wouldn't wish that much pain on anyone I know.

KatyDidAgain wrote:However, I do know the Shingles vaccine is a one-time shot....It's sole purpose is to boost the antibody response that has waned over the many years since one was originally infected. It's a reminder for your immune system, if you will.

It is INTENDED to be a one time shot but every site I have read says will only protect for max 5 years. Only way for continuing protection beyond 5 years would be to get another shot. The problem is that as we age our immune systems become less able to respond. In clinical trials, the effectiveness of Zostavax is only 38% in 70-79 age group. Boosting immune systems that can barely respond isn't worth much.

I am not antivaccinations. I just can't justify the cost of Zostravax for myself with only 2-5 years protection. And I really resent the hard sell marketing scare tactics to get vaccinated when they don't tell you it is only 50% effective. Only those that can afford the cost will be able to get it. If the government is so concerned about costs of treating the disease or danger to public health, they would cover the vaccine under Part B like all other vaccinations. Since when is a vaccine a drug to be paid under Part D like a medication. Vaccines are not medication. I would get Zostavax pending release of new, better vaccine if Medicare covered it appropriately. Stupid politicians trying to save money by only making it available to those that can afford steep price. Yes, $200 price tag puts it beyond my reach. I don't really have a choice. Finances makes the choice for me. I cannot afford to be vaccinated.

[quote="VikingGnome
Many report mild cases of shingles if treated early with antivirals which cost much less. The risk of shingles is higher at 70 than at 60. Get it now and I will not be protected in my more vulnerable years 70+. Vaccine only protects for 5 years at most.[/quote]

The caveat being that you must recognize the symptoms and start the antiviral meds, not cheap either, within 72 hours of symptom onset, if I remember correctly, for the most effective therapy.

VikingGnome wrote:

LSAT wrote:Based on your logic, I suppose that you never had you children vaccinated for measles either. I'm guessing that you don't get the flu vaccine yearly either.

Don't know what logic you are applying to make that assumption. I never had children. I get my flu vaccine every November. Flu vaccine is FREE under Medicare. The cost of Shingles vaccine under Part D can cost me $120-150 depending on plan. I have enough trouble paying current medical expenses and BiPAP. Can I justify paying that kind of money every two years? Until I see a longer lasting vaccine or one that is more effective, getting vaccine is low on the list of things I must have.

Many report mild cases of shingles if treated early with antivirals which cost much less. The risk of shingles is higher at 70 than at 60. Get it now and I will not be protected in my more vulnerable years 70+. Vaccine only protects for 5 years at most.

Mayo Clinic website says the risk of getting shingles at age 70 is 1% and 10% from 70-79. It is obviously lower for those in their 60s. So if the vaccine is only given once in life time and only provides protection for 2-5 years, it would make sense to get it to cover the most vulnerable years, 70+.

I think you should check this out again....Under Medicare our Shingles shot at Walgreens was the cost of the drug co-pay only. I think at the time it was $30 each for my wife and I. If we would have had it at the doctor's office the cost would have been over $200.
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shi ... d-know.htm

Shingles injection cost me $30.00 (at doctor's office) four years ago. I'm on Medicare. If you've ever known someone with Shingles... you don't want Singles.

LSAT wrote:

VikingGnome wrote:

LSAT wrote:Based on your logic, I suppose that you never had you children vaccinated for measles either. I'm guessing that you don't get the flu vaccine yearly either.

Don't know what logic you are applying to make that assumption. I never had children. I get my flu vaccine every November. Flu vaccine is FREE under Medicare. The cost of Shingles vaccine under Part D can cost me $120-150 depending on plan. I have enough trouble paying current medical expenses and BiPAP. Can I justify paying that kind of money every two years? Until I see a longer lasting vaccine or one that is more effective, getting vaccine is low on the list of things I must have.

Many report mild cases of shingles if treated early with antivirals which cost much less. The risk of shingles is higher at 70 than at 60. Get it now and I will not be protected in my more vulnerable years 70+. Vaccine only protects for 5 years at most.

Mayo Clinic website says the risk of getting shingles at age 70 is 1% and 10% from 70-79. It is obviously lower for those in their 60s. So if the vaccine is only given once in life time and only provides protection for 2-5 years, it would make sense to get it to cover the most vulnerable years, 70+.

I think you should check this out again....Under Medicare our Shingles shot at Walgreens was the cost of the drug co-pay only. I think at the time it was $30 each for my wife and I. If we would have had it at the doctor's office the cost would have been over $200.
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shi ... d-know.htm

I just asked my wife how much it cost her and she said it was $100. She had it done at the same local Osco drug store where I had mine done (only her vaccination was a year or two earlier). We also have the same Humana Part D insurance. The main difference is that I had gone through the "doughnut hole" when I got mine and she hadn't.
So, there are a number of factors involved with insurance and the co-pays. As I said before, my co-pay was $9.77.
But, yes, out of pocket is about $200.


Den

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LSAT wrote: I think you should check this out again....Under Medicare our Shingles shot at Walgreens was the cost of the drug co-pay only. I think at the time it was $30 each for my wife and I. If we would have had it at the doctor's office the cost would have been over $200.

You got a deal. The co pay is probably a lot higher now.
I just checked the AARP Medicare Advantage Plan that I have (the HMO one that now costs $29 a month) and Zostavax is now considered a Tier 4 drug and has a separate $190 deductible (to Tier 3 and 4 drugs) before it will pay anything and then the co pay is $95.
I just got a rude awakening about the Tier level deductible the other day when I went to refill my Nexium 40 mg (now Tier 3) and it was going to cost me $190 for 30 pills. Last year it was only $45. I can buy the OTC Nexium and double the dose and still come out way ahead unless I meet my Tier level deductible on something else this year....like if I bit the bullet and get the Shingles vaccine which is on my to do list. Next time I go by the pharmacy I will ask just how much it would be...I guess I should have had it in 2013 when it would have been cheaper...kicking myself in the butt for putting it off.
In December 2013 (not 2014) when I checked it was $95 and I thought that was bad.
I have a feeling the Tier level deductibles have taken a big hit this year along with a lot of meds going to those upper Tiers.

Depending on the insurance plan and co pays and deductible even Medicare patients will likely have a big expense with this vaccine now. I will try to remember and check tomorrow when the pharmacy is open to see just how much the shot is if I haven't met that Tier level deductible and get back here to let people know.

I do plan on trying to get this vaccine at sometime in the near future. I have seen too many people go through the miseries of the shingles and I just don't want to go through that if there's any chance I can reduce my risk.

And no.....I am not keen on vaccines otherwise. I don't do the annual flu shot but I did update my tetanus to include Diptheria back in Dec 2013 when I had a dog bite that required a tetanus booster since it had been probably 20 years since I had received a tetanus booster.

I don't trust the government, the parmaceutical companies, or the rest of the medical mafia.

I still got the shingles vaccine and recommend it.

There might be some occasional cases of reactions to the shingles vaccine, but don't forget that there are reactions to getting shingles. There are also reactions to taking acyclovir or other treatments for shingles. If anything, acyclovir is a LOT scarier than the shingles vaccine to me.

As for not covering all strains of shingles, if you were going into an active gunfire zone, and there was a 1 inch hole in your bulletproof vest, would you decide to not wear any vest at all because of the hole? Also, a vaccine for one strain might give you some protection against another strain.

BTW, get your pneumonia shot if you haven't already done so. It was cheap and supposedly lasts for many years.

Just checked my Medicare Part D plan. AARP Medicare Rx Preferred Plan through United Healthcare. Zostavax is tier 4 drug and requires Prior Authorization. So I can't just go into a participating pharmacy and get vaccinated. I must get prior authorization for it to be covered at all or pay for entire cost out of pocket. CoPay for Tier 4 drugs is $80. zero if in donut.

Medicare will only cover Pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine if I'm 65 or older. I will be 62 next month.

VikingGnome wrote:Medicare will only cover Pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine if I'm 65 or older. I will be 62 next month.

I think my pneumonia vaccine was only $35 without insurance. That was several years back, though, and was the older vaccine.

I had a horrible case of shingles 6 months ago in my private area and encircled my whole upper thigh area if you can imagine that. The pain was excruciating and my entire thigh was numb for two months following the outbreak. I still have residual pain from it. My doc say I should wait one year before getting the vaccine and believe me when that year is up I'm going to RUN and get it! Trust me, you DON"T want shingles!

VikingGnome wrote:
Half of us rolling up our sleeves will still get it

You need to think about what you are posting. This is a ridiculous statement.