What Everyone Should Know about the Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix)
CDC recommends that adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine called Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine) to prevent shingles and complications from the disease.
Adults 19 years and older who have weakened immune systems because of disease or therapy should also get two doses of Shingrix, as they have a higher risk of getting shingles and related complications.
In adults 50 years and older who have healthy immune systems, Shingrix is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles.
Immunity stays strong for at least the first 7 years after vaccination.
In adults with weakened immune systems, studies show that Shingrix is 68%-91% effective in preventing shingles, depending on the immune system's condition.
Who Should Get Shingrix?
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*
Received varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
There is no maximum age for getting Shingrix.
Who Should Not Get Shingrix?
You should not get Shingrix if you:
If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any vaccine component or after a dose of Shingrix.
Currently have shingles.
Currently are pregnant.
Women who are pregnant should wait to get Shingrix.
If you have a minor illness, such as a cold, you may get Shingrix. But if you have a moderate or severe illness, with or without fever, you should usually wait until you recover before getting the vaccine.
What Are the Possible Side Effects of Shingrix?
Most people got a sore arm with mild or moderate pain after getting Shingrix, and some also had redness and swelling where they got the shot. Some people felt tired and had muscle pain, headaches, shivering, fever, stomach pain, or nausea. Some people who got Shingrix experienced side effects that prevented them from doing regular activities. Symptoms went away on their own in about 2 to 3 days. Side effects were more common in younger people.
How Can I Pay for Shingrix?
Medicare:
Medicare Part D plans to cover the shingles vaccine, but there may be a cost to you depending on your plan. There may be a copay for the vaccine, or you may need to pay in full and then get reimbursed for a certain amount.
Medicare Part B does not cover the shingles vaccine.
Medicaid:
Medicaid may or may not cover the vaccine. Please reach out to your insurer to find out.
Private health insurance:
Many private health insurance plans will cover the vaccine, but there may be a cost to you depending on your plan. Please reach out to your insurer to find out.
Camden County Health Department has a senior tax fund for adults 60 and older. So, the senior tax fund will cover what insurance does not cover (or if you do not have insurance).
CDC. (2022). Shingles Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know About the Shingles Vaccine. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
Original source can be found here.
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