New Shingrx Shingles Vaccine

[kramer]

Not talking to you, or anyone else. I have no clue what you posted, since it is very unlikely that it would make any difference to my plans. Like I said, I would feel stupid if I were too tight to pay for a vaccine that might spare me real pain and perhaps help avoid meaningful disability for most of my remaining life.

This expense is not going to affect my life, but the shots might. I choose to spend on a reasonably effective vaccine against this risk. Shingles is not a rare disease in aging people. I don't care if 6 months later Medicare covers the shot, just not the sort of thing that bothers me.

I don't expect that my preference should be the same as others, so proceed as I would, and do whatever you want to.

Ha

Well said, also, the lifetime risk of shingles is around 30%....it is not a small probability event. And the cases get worse and worse (on average) as you get older although the consequences of even a minor shingles episode are severe in most elderly adults.

 

[Gotadimple]

Is that the price per shot? (2 required)

Yes, that is for a single dose.

 

[donheff]

DW and I got Shingrix shots at Costco this morning. Our insurance covered 100%. Our Costco charges $150 per dose to members.

 

[donheff]

The is what my ER doc niece says about Shingrix: “The new one is sooo much better. GET IT!! “

 

[haha]

DW and I got Shingrix shots at Costco this morning. Our insurance covered 100%. Our Costco charges $150 per dose to members.

My girlfriend and I got ours this morning, also $150 each. She had shingles as a young woman, and is so happy that she should not have to go through that again. She also had that long lasting neuralgia after shingles, which in her case lasted another 15-20 years. Shot is not painful.

Ha

 

[CountryGal]

At 59 I need to be considering a shingles vaccine. However I'm not certain I trust the safety of some of the newer vaccines. Anyone else have these concerns? Zostavax has been associated with a number of issues. https://www.fiercepharma.com/vaccines/merck-targeted-zostavax-injury-suits

 

[gerntz]

There's a long history of people being afraid of scientifically proven advances.

 

[travelover]

At 59 I need to be considering a shingles vaccine. However I'm not certain I trust the safety of some of the newer vaccines. Anyone else have these concerns? Zostavax has been associated with a number of issues. https://www.fiercepharma.com/vaccines/merck-targeted-zostavax-injury-suits

Talk to a few people that have had shingles and weigh the trade offs.

https://www.google.com/search?q=shi...srDYAhUW1WMKHXIsClgQ_AUICigB&biw=1280&bih=832

 

[Nemo2]

I started this thread (almost) 15 months ago:
http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/shingles-83633.html

I'm still putting drops in my eyes, and have no idea if/when I'll be able to discontinue them. (And I'm nowhere near as bad as the people in travelover's link.)

Take the shot(s).

 

[haha]

At 59 I need to be considering a shingles vaccine. However I'm not certain I trust the safety of some of the newer vaccines. Anyone else have these concerns? Zostavax has been associated with a number of issues. https://www.fiercepharma.com/vaccines/merck-targeted-zostavax-injury-suits

The existing vaccine Zostavax is an attenuated live vaccine, so it could in theory cause the shingles disease. No clue whether that has happened. The vaccine makers have long experience with live vaccines, the polio oral drops being an early example.

However, Shingrix, the vaccine being discussed is a recombinant vaccine, so no entire virus is injected and although it can cause side effects, it is hard to imagine how it could cause shingles.

Ha

 

[audreyh1]

Not talking to you, or anyone else. I have no clue what you posted, since it is very unlikely that it would make any difference to my plans. Like I said, I would feel stupid if I were too tight to pay for a vaccine that might spare me real pain and perhaps help avoid meaningful disability for most of my remaining life.

This expense is not going to affect my life, but the shots might. I choose to spend on a reasonably effective vaccine against this risk. Shingles is not a rare disease in aging people. I don't care if 6 months later Medicare covers the shot, just not the sort of thing that bothers me.

I don't expect that my preference should be the same as others, so proceed as I would, and do whatever you want to.

Ha

That’s the way I see it.

I’m not an early adopter though. I had the Zostavax shot a couple of years ago. I like to see how things play out before I expose myself. But I’m not going to wait very long.

 

[bmcgonig]

Some answers regarding Shingrix and Zostavax


Q:*Why should someone who has already gotten Zostavax get revaccinated with Shingrix?

A:*Zostavax provides a moderate level of protection. That protection declines over time, and by five years, that protection is only about 35 percent.

The*new vaccine*uses an entirely different technology. Shingrix is substantially different in terms of overall efficacy and duration of protection. It was shown to be*highly effective*even in the oldest age groups, people in their 70s and 80s.

Q:*When should someone who has already received Zostavax get the new vaccine?

A:*The committee did not want to prescribe a specific interval. The minimum interval should be eight weeks. That’s a decision each individual should make with his or her own health-care provider.

Q:*Should people who have received Zostavax and also had shingles get Shingrix?

A:*Yes. The clinical trials did not include people who had already had shingles. But there was a small study of 96 people over age 50 who had a previously documented episode of shingles. They got a strong response [with Shingrix]. They did not find any adverse events.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...-new-shingles-vaccine/?utm_term=.163854655996

 

[FI_RElater]

That publication has got to make for some sparkling party conversation. My subscription just expired.

Actually it’s referred to as MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) and is important for those in CDC to get published in (MD’s, epidemiologists, MPH’s)

 

[powerplay]

Consumer Reports published an article on the CDC recommendations for Shingrix.

"Now the CDC is recommending that Shingrix—a two-dose vaccine—be given to people starting at age 50, a full 10 years earlier than its advice for getting Zostavax."

https://www.consumerreports.org/shingles-vaccine/new-shingles-vaccine-shingrix-what-you-should-know/

CDC Recommendations - https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6703a5.htm?s_cid=mm6703a5_w

 

[gauss]

Thanks for the update powerplay.

I see now that the official MMWR has been issued as of Jan 26, 2018 regarding CDC's official adoption of the ACIP recommendations for Shingrix as previously discussed. Excellent news.

The CDC site has been updated accordingly. (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/vacc-specific/shingles.html)

The only outstanding question that I have currently is how long do the CDC MMWR recommendations take to propagate into actionable advice from primary care physicians and insurance company coverage.

-gauss

 

[Human]

I plan on getting it. Here’s an article I saved from Nov to remind me to look into it this year, for those that are interested in learning the basics:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...nt-let-shingles-get-you-way-got-me/867046001/

 

[Chuckanut]

I had the old vacine years ago so I probably should get the new one. I think I will give it a while longer, just to make sure there are no 'surprises' and then get it.

 

[Done]

I got the Shringrix vaccination at Costco Pharmacy. It appeared that my HDHP insurance plan did not cover it at all, although I had seen literature online indicating that it was a covered vaccine. I called insurance CS and they determined that it was 100% covered at age 50+, but it is a medical benefit, not a pharmacy benefit. The billing systems are separate.

They asked me to pay the $156 out of pocket and guaranteed that they would reimburse me if I mail in a medical reimbursement form. Good to know in case it at first appears that the vaccination is not covered. I'm due for my second dose in 2-6 months, but the pharmacist recommended waiting closer to 6 months.

 

[foxcreek9]

BCBS Illinois covered mine yesterday, no copay.

 

[gauss]

I got the Shringrix vaccination at Costco Pharmacy. It appeared that my HDHP insurance plan did not cover it at all, although I had seen literature online indicating that it was a covered vaccine. I called insurance CS and they determined that it was 100% covered at age 50+, but it is a medical benefit, not a pharmacy benefit. The billing systems are separate.

They asked me to pay the $156 out of pocket and guaranteed that they would reimburse me if I mail in a medical reimbursement form. Good to know in case it at first appears that the vaccination is not covered. I'm due for my second dose in 2-6 months, but the pharmacist recommended waiting closer to 6 months.

Hmm - Wouldn't you pay 100% of the cost until your deductible of your HDHP is met (especially if they are calling it medical)?

My experience is the only things that evade the deductible are things classified as screening/prevantitive.

I have not specifically had any vaccines under these plans however.

-gauss

 

[Gotadimple]

Hmm - Wouldn't you pay 100% of the cost until your deductible of your HDHP is met (especially if they are calling it medical)?

My experience is the only things that evade the deductible are things classified as screening/prevantitive.

I have not specifically had any vaccines under these plans however.

-gauss

Under most plans, this vaccination is not subject to the deductible. Mine wasn't when it was administered in the doctor's office.

I think the distinction between medical vs. drug benefit might have to do with the drugs that are provided by the pharmacy benefit manager used by the insurer. The PBM buys the drugs in bulk, arranges for a network of pharmacies to provide injection services, and the plan pays the pharmacies a dispensing fee.

- Rita

 

[wmc1000]

According to the GSK website, https://www.gsksource.com/pharma/content/gsk/source/us/en/brands/shingrix/pi/coverage.html , broad payer support is not expected until April 2018.

 

[ziggy29]

I got the Shringrix vaccination at Costco Pharmacy. It appeared that my HDHP insurance plan did not cover it at all, although I had seen literature online indicating that it was a covered vaccine. I called insurance CS and they determined that it was 100% covered at age 50+, but it is a medical benefit, not a pharmacy benefit. The billing systems are separate.

They asked me to pay the $156 out of pocket and guaranteed that they would reimburse me if I mail in a medical reimbursement form. Good to know in case it at first appears that the vaccination is not covered. I'm due for my second dose in 2-6 months, but the pharmacist recommended waiting closer to 6 months.

This is very new to insurers and is still being worked up. Many private insurers (mine included) link their first-dollar preventative coverage to the guidelines by the ACIP and the CDC. Apparently they made some preliminary approvals to the guidelines to change from Zostavax at 60 to Shingrix at 50 last November and were awaiting final CDC approval. Apparently, the language has changed at the CDC website to make me think this is finalized.

That being the case, my insurance should be covering it now (or very soon) since it appears the guidelines have now officially changed. I'll have to call my insurance plan to confirm it, but if they confirm it, my next call will be to schedule an immunization for it. And I'm sure DW will follow in June when she turns 50.

I have not specifically had any vaccines under these plans however.

Flu shots, for example, are almost always considered preventative, as are most childhood immunizations. As has the shingles vaccine for folks over 60, but that's changing to 50 now with a different vaccine.

 

[omni550]

I have my Medicare Supplemental (Plan G) with Aetna.

According to their site , they cover Shingrx.

(I'm assuming the deductible will apply.)

http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/100_199/0115.html

omni

 

[audreyh1]

My plan covered the old vaccine three years ago even though I hadn’t met the deductible because it was preventative. I think they covered all vaccines. I got it at Costco.

High deductible ACA plan. And I was only 55!