I have been on a waiting list for 6 months to get the shingles vaccine. Finally called and I get it tomorrow. Has anyone had it? Any side effects? DH had it a year ago and no side effects. I have never had chicken pox, but decided I sure didn't want to get the shingles now. That's all I would need.
Vickie, I asked about it on a doctor's visit and he said, "Good idea!" and I got it that day. I don't understand why you were on a waiting list. It's approved by Medicare. Even CVS gives shingles vaccines in my area.
I had absolutely NO side effects whatsoever. Incidentally, my doctor also checks and gives Tetinus vaccines... because he said they offer terrific protection and MOST people haven't had a booster shot since their school years.
Nancy B*, we live in a small area. CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid do not give it - costs too much to buy for them if no one wants it. Kroger is the only one who will put you on a list and when they get enough people (?) they order it. Shelf life I understand is not long either.
Strange rules for it. Must have Dr.'s Rx, but administered by Pharmacy. Dr.'s Offices can't do it. In our area, the big hangup was that the Techs at the Pharmacies had to be Certified to administer it. Bunch of Political Paperwork. Medicare covered all but a co-pay.
Shelf Life after Reconstitution, Thawing or Opening: Single-Dose Vials: Discard reconstituted vaccine if it is not used within 30 minutes of reconstitution. Do not freeze reconstituted vaccine.
The vaccine must be kept frozen and used very quickly when reconstituted.
Carosi, that's so odd, you are saying that the doctor's offices cannot give shingles vaccines?? I paid nothing for mine, I have Medicare AND a secondary policy (Aetna). I do believe they are more available since Medicare approved payment for them a year ago.
I had mine last fall with no side effects at all. The rules for getting it are definitely strange. After I found which Walgreen's in town was giving it, walked in and got it immediately. I have Medicare and BC/BS as secondary - I paid nothing out of pocket.
My two sisters live in Washington state. They both are on waiting lists and have been for several months. They both were told Medicare did not pay for it and it would cost $225 out of pocket.
There also appears to be some confusion as to who can get shingles. I've heard if you 'did not' have chickenpox as a child, you 'could' get shingles. Then again, I've also heard if you 'did' have them, you could never get shingles. I can remember if I had them or not, so my doctor said to go ahead and get the shot as a precaution.
Another shot my doctor gave me was TDAP - tetunas including whooping cough. He said there is a reinsurgence of whooping cough and adults can get it from kids since our immunity is long gone.
I got the shingles vaccine from our county health dept.two years ago.Was on a waiting list for months befofe they called me in.My cost was 165.00 out of pocket.No side effects. Insurance company told me they only pay if your under 65.I understand it's only given to those over 65.Seems like they have it all figured out---they do not need to pay.
DH had the shingles last year and I surely didn't want to have them again. I had them in my thirties and thought I was safe but after doing some research I found that you can have them again. Rite Aid has a sign out front of the store offering the vaccine. You have to make and appointment and go back later to have the injection. They told me that the doctors in town referred people to them for the vaccine. I think it was about $60.00.
Got mine this morning; paid $75 and the receipt says my insurance saved me $154. DH got his about 1-1/2 years ago and he had to pay $45. I also understand the pharmacy that gives it can charge an "administration" fee - which I think is what the $75 was that Kroger charged.
My dh and I had ours about 2 years ago. Doctors office charged $160.00. We then found out that the health department gave them for $20.00...so we went that route. NO side effects at all.
My parents got their shingles shot at Walgreens also. They were given a prescription for the shot from their pcps. I believe they paid a copay for it of about $75. I think the insurance used was their Part D because my dad waited to get his until he got out of the donut hole---otherwise the shot was close to $300.
I got mine at a TRAVEL clinic, with a prescription from my pcp.. And they charged $275!!! I submitted the paperwork to Prescription Solutions, and just got an affirmation that they would be paying me back for it. I haven't seen any local pharmacies advertising it.