The CDC guidelines are fairly generic for all vaccines. Based on experience of course.
But there are no studies about efficacy of Shingrix beyond the 6 month mark for the second dose. They are sending me what data they do have. I’ll report back if anything interesting.
Which basically leaves it up in the air.
(In defense the gentleman that told you that you’d need to start over–I read that too at one point. Which is why I contacted Glaxo.)
My GUESS is that as long as you get it in fairly soon after the 6 month mark you most likely are fine.
Good news–the CDC is totally reasonable. Good stats for past 6 months on second dose. But slightly better stats to try to get it closer to the six month mark rather than 12 month mark.
I called my ins co today to check on coverage. (Had mild shingles back in January, doc advised at the time that I get it once that bout was over). They said they will pay for it if billed as preventive from drs office, but will not cover from a pharmacy. My doc’s office now says they don’t carry it — but they special ordered a dose for me after what my ins co said about coverage. One of those moments that makes you realize why health care costs so much! We’ll see how long it takes to come in… then need to time it so I’m not feeling sick for any of D’s wedding festivities.
Just called the CVS pharmacy where I got my first dose in April to ask about availability for the second. They are out but took my name down for a waitlist. I don’t think I would have thought to do that without this thread, so thank you! Hopefully they’ll get it before October, but glad to see that a slight delay shouldn’t hurt either.
I was able to get my first dose of Shingrix at Publix on Friday. They made a note in my file to text me to return for the second dose.
There’s an obvious lump below the injection site and I have more pain than I’ve ever experienced with flu shots or other vaccines, plus I feel very fatigued and am experiencing some other mild effects. Dh said he’s not sure he wants to get the vaccine now, but I’m encouraging him. He doesn’t seem to remember how horrible shingles was for two of our relatives. I’ll gladly endure a few days or a week of discomfort to prevent the misery they suffered.
Our insurance co told me they only covered the vaccine if I got it from my PCP, but he doesn’t stock it. He wrote a Rx and I gave that to the pharmacy tech after telling her I didn’t expect it to be covered. A few minutes later she said it had gone through.
Well, if it makes anyone feel better there seems to be a direct correlation between the amount of pain and the immunity response.
I’m not a fan of pain either but this particular vaccine appears to work great and since shingles can be so horrible even I think it’s worth the suffering for a few days.
I ran a fever and actually had to go home from work the day after my first shot as I was feeling so poorly. This will not keep me from getting the next dose. I saw what my dad went through with shingles and I want to do everything I can to be protected. Short term may be a bit of a pain, but long term it is worth it.
As a shingles update, I have been diagnosed with PHN post herpetic neuralgia for the shingles on my face and around my eye. I actually thought it was the shingles coming back. The doc put me on Lyrica (which took a few days to get used to) but it makes a BIG difference. Just thought I would share.
I had the first vaccine in mid-April, and I was told to have the booster shot within 2 to 6 months. My doctor ( and everyone in the huge organization he’s part of) doesn’t have the vaccine and does not expect it any time soon. If I don’t have it within the suggested time, what’s the downside? What is the longest span before the first shot was just a waste of time, money and arm pain? My insurance will not cover receiving the shot at my local grocery/drug store, but I may have to get that desperate. Thanks for any help or advice.
I was at the drugstore today picking up a prescription, asked… and they had the shingles vaccine! But I am doing something tomorrow and don’t want to “feel like crap”, so hopefully they will still have some tomorrow afternoon when I go back.
You can call and ask that a dose be saved for you @NJres. @fafnir, I’d call insurer and explain that pharmacy has a dose but MD doesn’t and ask that they make an exception and cover it administered at pharmacy.
Our insurer and Medicare covered the Shingrix at 100% no matter where we got it (we did get both doses at the nearby in-network pharmacy which set aside doses for us).
@intparent , that’s a good idea, although he will have to look them up himself. Having seen it IRL, I don’t want to look at the pictures.
I’m glad to learn that the 2 - 6 mos. window for the second injection is not an absolute. I’d like to get the second dose after two months if at all possible, but it’s good to know it isn’t necessary to start over if the vaccine isn’t available within six.
Good news–the CDC is totally reasonable. Good stats for past 6 months on second dose. But slightly better stats to try to get it closer to the six month mark rather than 12 month mark. (I contacted Glaxo)
Just got my 2nd Shingrix shot. The pharmacy had 3 doses remaining. They charged $169.99 and my insurance (cheapest Part D plan) paid $24.35, so I paid $145.64. This compares to the first shot which was billed $214.99 and insurance allowed and paid in full $153.09. That was my ACA Blue Cross Blue Shield NC policy. There was no prescription coverage, but they covered the Shingrix shot 100%. Between shots I had a birthday and went on Medicare.
For Zostervax, Costco was cheapest and had it in stock. Since our plans covered 100% for all of us, I didn’t shop around, but prices can vary considerably. It really is nasty to get shingles and can have long-lasting pain. I would have paid 100% out of pocket if needed to avoid getting shingles.
Zostavax does not have the efficacy nor as long lasting as Shingrix shot. They are recommending that if you had Zostavax to be re-innoculated with Shingrix.
We’ll see how long it takes to come in… then need to time it so I’m not feeling sick for any of D’s wedding festivities.