Spoke to my insurance recently, asking about coverage of the ‘new’ vaccine and was told they will cover it for me even thought I’ve already had the ‘old’ one. Didn’t broach the subject of age as I have already entered my sixth decade, so that subject would be moot!!
I have had shingles on my right face/eye. However, I got lucky in that I recognized the nerve pain/tingling because it was so similar to pain I had had associated with Bell’s Palsy previuosly —that plus that I had had several instances in two days that felt like I was getting bitten by a spider–I went to urgent care and got on acyclovar immediately —they called it prodormal stage (pain/symptoms before eruption). I had to take 3 courses of acyclovar before it totally went away bc each time I stopped the symptoms reappeared. But I never had the horrible eruptions etc. Thankfully.
Thanks for the reminder. I had the first shot back in Feb. (note to self: don’t take vaccine right before travel – I was a bit down for the count with chills, etc. during Family Weekend at D’s school).
I had the old shot a couple of years ago. When I went to the pharmacist for travel shots yesterday (typhoudt, hep A and boosters for tetanus etc - my arms hurt today) we got to talking and she said I should get the new one even though I’d had the old one.
A close friend had shingles a few months back on her face and in her eye. Certainly worth getting the shot (she is younger than me and I don’t think was the age where they suggest the shot yet - is there an age?)
@swimcatsmom - they might not suggest it, but that doesn’t mean they don’t think it’s a good idea (depending on the doctor and depending on your insurance). I asked my PCP about it – he did recommend that I do do it (I’m 60), but that my insurance would charge if his office administered it, and that it would be cheaper to do it at Costco. Turns out it was free there.
Before, you were supposed to be 60+ for insurance to cover it; they lowered the age to 50.
I’ve checked since the pharmacist told me that they recommend that you get the new vaccine even if you’ve already had the old one. It looks like she’s right. Guess that will be on the calendar after I get back from Africa. Wonder us Medicare will cover it as I already had the other (though that was not on Medicare)
Edited to add - just noticed @Beil1958 's post - hopefully will be the same for me
I’m not sure, but I think Medicare Part A and B will not cover the shingles vaccine. It is covered by Medicare Part D.
I guess I need to check my med D provider’s formulary
I just paid $47 for the vaccine, at Walgreens. My part D prefers I use CVS, but they are out in the area for the foreseeable future. I had my mind set on getting this shot, so I did. I will probably do the second shot at CVS.
I’m not feeling any pain.
There’s a story in the Washington Post today about how hard the vaccine is to find in stock. I guess I shouldn’t have procrastinated.
No problem with availabilty in my area. I called ahead to the pharmacy to be sure. Just got first shot yesterday.
I got my first Shingrix shot today. Earlier this week I was told it was on backorder there was a waiting list.
Big problem with availability in my area. Doc’s office said call local drugstore pharmacy’s. CVS and Walgreens are out. Costco is also out. No one is able to provide a guesstimate of when they might be restocked.
So this leaves those of us who’ve had the first shot in a bind. Hopefully the supply improves before the window for the second shot is closed.
Still a major supply problem in my area. I did manage to locate a small independent pharmacy that has some in stock. I am coming up on the due date for my second round.
As I’d mentioned, I had a pretty strong reaction to the first round. Felt like I had the flu for the better part of a week and the injection site hurt like crazy. Has anyone had their second round? Did you have the same reaction as with the first?
I’m trying to time this round so that I can spend the first few days just watching bad TV.
And on a curious note, as per one pharmacist…the new party line from the vaccine supplier is 'we highly suggest a 2-6 month window between first and second rounds. That’s what we tested and that’s what supports the high (90%+ ?) protection rate. However, it’s okay to wait longer, the drop off in effectiveness is minor." And that’s how one spins it when one can’t produce the vaccine in appropriate quantity to supply the demand.
I have to use Walgreen’s for things like this. When I called them last week, they said they wouldn’t have more until late August. I hope they are ramping up production!
I felt horrid the first time and miserable the second time. I know, for sure, that my second night after the shot, I felt feverish, hot & chilled & moaned out loud all night. I had scheduled that second shot for a time my DH was out of town so I could wallow in the misery without disturbing anyone. Sorry, it was not better, if anything, worse.
I started a thread on the new vaccine a few months ago. I just had the second shot two weeks ago. The first time, my arm hurt like the devil for days. This time, I asked for the injection to be given in my butt, and while it was still a little sore, it was MUCH better. So you might want to ask for it there!
My husband, on the other hand, had a similar reaction as @somemom. Pretty rough. But he didn’t mind - he had shingles 22 years ago and it was a horrible experience. I would not hesitate to recommend that everyone get the shot, even with the unpleasant side effects.
H had the shingles. He also had a reaction to the 1st injection and a slightly greater reaction the 2nd time. Both times he ran a low grade fever, felt achy all over and had to sleep awhile. He was in his 70s. My parents and I had no reaction other than an achy arm at the injection site that subsided.
I felt like my arm was hit, but that was all. Not everyone has such bad reactions, just saying.
I had my first shingles shot last Wednesday and on Thursday I had to come home from work as I was feverish and feeling horrible. I felt better by Friday, but my arm still hurt for a couple of days.