Shingles Vaccine Cost

• For patients not covered by health insurance, the cost of a shingles vaccination typically includes: a shot administration fee and the cost of the single required dose of vaccine and in some cases (if your own doctor does not offer the shingles vaccination and you are unable to get it during a routine doctor visit) a doctor visit or consultation fee, for a total of about $200 to $250. For example, The Shot Nurse, a mobile vaccination service in Tennessee, charges $205. Walgreens' Take Care Clinics charge about $220.
• All Medicare Part D plans cover the shingles vaccine, as do many private health insurance plans. For patients covered by health insurance, typical expenses include a doctor visit copay and, in some cases, a copay for the vaccine. For example, under a North Carolina health plan for state employees, patients pay a doctor-visit copay, but the vaccine is covered 100 percent.

• For the shingles vaccination, also known by the brand name Zostavax, the health care provider will administer a single shot.
• The shingles vaccine is not 100 percent effective. It is most effective in people aged 60 to 69, and it prevents shingles about 50 percent the time; in patients who do get shingles anyway, the vaccination can prevent post-herpetic neuralgia, the sometimes-debilitating pain that can persist after the shingles rash clears. The CDC has an FAQ about the shingles vaccine.

• Because the shingles vaccine has not been available for long, it still is unclear how long protection lasts, so a booster shot might be necessary in the future.

• The shingles vaccination can be somewhat difficult to get because it requires storage in a special freezer. Check to see if your doctor offers it. Or, Walgreens' Take Care Clinics offer the shingles vaccine, as do some other pharmacies. Also, many travel clinics offer it; the CDC offers resources to help you find a travel clinic. It is a good idea to call ahead to make sure the vaccine is in stock.
• The shingles vaccine is not recommended by the CDC for anyone younger than 60 because it has not yet been thoroughly studied in those age groups. The risk of shingles begins to rise after age 50, but about half of cases occur in people 60 and older, and symptoms usually are more severe in that age group. People who have already had shingles still can get the vaccine.
• The shingles vaccine generally is considered safe. The most common side effects are redness, swelling and itching at the injection site, and headache. But, according to Zostavax.com, patients who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or who have compromised immune systems or certain allergies, should not get the vaccination.

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