[Anonymous]

Re: New shingles (Varicella zoster) vaccine: Shingrix

by Anonymous on Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:41 am

I called the drug company because the pharmacies had not received any information on this drug. I was told it should be available by mid November. I sure hope so.

[Multibilly]

Re: New shingles (Varicella zoster) vaccine: Shingrix

by Multibilly on Mon Nov 06, 2017 10:01 pm

I just got this response back from United Healthcare when I asked them about Shingrix coverage

"We received your message about your coverage for Shingrix.

At this time, this new vaccine is not covered by insurance. Even though it was approved by the FDA, it still has not been approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There is no time line currently for when it may be covered by insurance, whether it be commercial or Medicare."

But then I read this article that says the CDC already approved it.

So confusing.

[Hummingbird]

Re: New shingles (Varicella zoster) vaccine: Shingrix

by Hummingbird on Tue Nov 07, 2017 2:44 am

I saw my internist on Friday, November 3. She said the new vaccine was approved last week and should be available this month. She said it is 90% effective vs. 50% for the live vaccine.

[Multibilly]

Re: New shingles (Varicella zoster) vaccine: Shingrix

by Multibilly on Tue Nov 07, 2017 7:57 am

Hummingbird,

My GP said pretty much the same thing yesterday. But he also said that the long pole in the process would be for the insurance companies to be on board covering it (hence the reason I reached out to my insurance company for an update).

I believe Shingrix requires two shots at least two months apart at a total cost of about $280. So, the question for a lot us will be if we will want to fork over the full $280 in the USA or wait for it to be covered by insurance (which I'm guessing will be sometime in 2018).

[goldmine848]

Re: New shingles (Varicella zoster) vaccine: Shingrix

by goldmine848 on Tue Nov 07, 2017 7:24 pm

I don't remember the details of why, but I read that coverage should be available in the first part of next year.

[H Myers]

Re: New shingles (Varicella zoster) vaccine: Shingrix

by H Myers on Tue Feb 27, 2018 8:53 am

I recently had the same experience, but the CDC issued new recommendations on January 25, 2018. Here's a link to the page with the recommendations:

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html

Here's the first few paragraphs of the recommendations:

Who Should Get Shingrix?

Healthy adults 50 years and older should get two doses of Shingrix, separated by 2 to 6 months. You should get Shingrix even if in the past you

• had shingles
• received Zostavax
• are not sure if you had chickenpox

There is no maximum age for getting Shingrix ...

Who Should Not Get Shingrix?

You should not get Shingrix if you:

• have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine or after a dose of Shingrix
• tested negative for immunity to varicella zoster virus. If you test negative, you should get
• chickenpox vaccine.
• currently have shingles
• currently are pregnant or breastfeeding. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should wait to get Shingrix.

If you have a minor acute (starts suddenly) illness, such as a cold, you may get Shingrix. But if you have a moderate or severe acute illness, you should usually wait until you recover before getting the vaccine. This includes anyone with a temperature of 101.3°F or higher.

[ZippyZelda]

Re: New shingles (Varicella zoster) vaccine: Shingrix

by ZippyZelda on Tue Feb 27, 2018 5:52 pm

In my area at least, Shingrix is now available in local pharmacies to be administered by the pharmacist. The cancer center where my spouse is being treated has to wait for the internal approval process, for the entire hospital, to be completed, prior to any physician offering it.

The oncologist recommended going to the local pharmacy, not knowing when the internal approval process would be complete.

Fortunately, for each of us, the cost is covered by insurance.

[Multibilly]

Re: New shingles (Varicella zoster) vaccine: Shingrix

by Multibilly on Tue Feb 27, 2018 8:54 pm

Thanks ZippyZelda!

It looks like United Healthcare will start covering Shingrix beginning on April 1, 2018. See:

http://broker.uhc.com/articleView-19785

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: New shingles (Varicella zoster) vaccine: Shingrix

by Nancy Shamanna on Wed Feb 28, 2018 10:36 am

The new Shingrix vaccine is also available in Canada, by prescription. I checked with my oncologist and he has written me a prescription. It is taken in two doses, about a month apart. It may be covered by insurances for some! To avoid getting shingles would be well worth it, in my opinion! It is being heavily advertised in medical publications now.

[Multibilly]

Re: New shingles (Varicella zoster) vaccine: Shingrix

by Multibilly on Thu Apr 05, 2018 10:07 am

Just got my first of two Shingrix vaccination shots today. It was 100% covered by my insurance. My doctor told me to just get it at a local pharmacy (I went to a CVS pharmacy) since they typically get new vaccinations before the doctor's offices do.

Nice to know that I will likely avoid a bout with shingles in the future.