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 |  | Low: With Insurance $10-$50 Copay |  | Without Insurance: $200-$250 |
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Also called zoster, shingles is a painful, blistery skin rash that can occur in people who have had chickenpox in the past. To help prevent shingles, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a one-time vaccination (brand name Zostavax[1] ) for people 60 and older.
Typical costs: |
- 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[2] , a mobile vaccination service in Tennessee, charges $205. Walgreens' Take Care Clinics[3] 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[4] for retired state employees, patients pay a doctor-visit copay, but the vaccine is covered 100 percent.
Related articles: Health Insurance, Meningitis Vaccine, Hepatitis Vaccine, Tetanus Diphtheria Vaccine, Polio Vaccine, Travel Vaccinations
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What should be included: |
- 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[5] about the shingles vaccine.
Additional costs: |
- 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.
Shopping for shingles vaccine: |
- 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[6] 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[7] . 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[8] , 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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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
Page 6 of 6 - << Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6
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| Posted by: Not that BB in St. Paul, MN. | Posted: August 5th, 2022 08:08AM |
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| Posted by: Dannis Herrin in Plainfield, IN. | Posted: December 11th, 2021 02:12PM |
Thought this was awful high, I am 70. Got it at Kroger pharmacy in Plainfield, In. My brother got both of his at Walgreens for $135 total, he is 75. He was happy, not me. |
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| Posted by: a user in Gardena, CA. | Posted: November 23rd, 2021 06:11AM |
Got my vaccination at Walgreens. Have WellCare Health Insurance. Am 76 years old. My copay is $25.00. WellCare paid the rest |
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| Posted by: K Carson in Atlanta, GA. | Posted: August 3rd, 2021 02:08PM |
Dr. at Emory clinic talked me into getting the Shingles Vac. when I was having my physical back in Dec. 2020. Said it was a 2 part shot and would need to come back in 2-6 mths. for final part of the procedure. Well, to me that sounds like both shots would be covered when you start the procedure, wrong. They charged my insurance $504 for the 1st shot, little did know that they would charge the same outrageous amount for the 2nd shot. When i went back for the 2nd part, no one said anything about an additional $504 that I would be responsible for since I had change Ins. carriers in Jan. No one asked me for my new card, just sent me back for the shot that I assumed was already paid for earlier. Now they want the $504 more, not happening folks. They didn't ask for my new insurance nor did they tell me it would be another charge. Can't get blood form a turnip. Beware of Emory in GA. they will rip you off. |
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| Posted by: gy in Pace, FL. | Posted: June 24th, 2021 11:06AM |
Dr. wouldn't give the shot. Went to Publix and paid $158.00 for the 1st shot. Go back in 2 months and assume next one will cost the same.They had told me over the phone that it would cost $175. I gave them a GoodRx coupon for Publix and assume it helped a tiny bit ($17) |
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| Posted by: Beahah in Dixon, CA. | Posted: April 28th, 2021 06:04PM |
Medicare doesn't cover it. Blue Shield supplement doesn't cover it. Humana prescription supplement doesn't cover it. Cheapest is WalMart local pharmacy for 190. I don't know if I'll shell out that much. Why am I paying for these coverages if they won't cover things? |
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| Posted by: Amy Kay in Columbus, OH. | Posted: January 10th, 2021 01:01PM |
Currently it’s $155 at Kroger’s, Meijers, Walgreens and Giant Eagle, and $181 at Walmart for people without insurance. |
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| Posted by: CalKat in Menlo Park, CA. | Posted: September 28th, 2020 09:09PM |
The cost at CVS today for the first shot was $180. I am 67 with Humana part D. Seems like the insurance didn’t pay much, if anything. |
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| Posted by: Cynthia Markham in Fort Worth, TX. | Posted: September 28th, 2020 03:09PM |
My husband went to the DR and since he never had chicken pox as a child they gave him the vaccine charging him 518.00 we are on Aetna Advantage plan Seriously?? Why would this adult vaccine be covered when it was given in the office by a Doctor |
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| Posted by: WAC Vet in Robesonia, PA. | Posted: January 22nd, 2020 05:01PM |
As a veteran, I am fortunate to have gotten my shingles shots at my VA Hospital! |
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| Posted by: Distressed in Dayton, OH. | Posted: November 17th, 2019 04:11PM |
Received 1st in October, the 2d in Feb. Received a bill for $640 in April for the shots. Dr office did not file a claim. Dr said the Rite Aid down the street would do them f o r free or my insurance would pay. I refused to pay the $640. My Dr.s practice group fired me and I suppose they will sue me next. |
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| Posted by: markah in COLUMBUS, OH. | Posted: November 6th, 2019 10:11AM |
Went this morning had no idea what the cost would be. I just wanted to find out the cost. The CVS pharmacist asked my DOB I asked how much and she said no charge. As an employee of Lowes my insurance covered it all. Well pleased. I had the Shingrix one |
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| Posted by: Carolyn S Carter in West Monroe, LA. | Posted: October 28th, 2019 09:10AM |
I was just told by Walmart that it will cost 171.00 for each of the 2 Shingrix vaccinations. I have Aetna Part B and Humana Part D. |
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| Posted by: B. Campbell in Wilmington, DE. | Posted: October 2nd, 2019 11:10PM |
I came down with shingles after spinal surgery earlier this year. My family doctor recommended that I get the shingles vaccination. He said I had to go to my pharmacy (Rite Aid) since he does not keep the vaccination in his office. Well, I just found out after the fact that my insurance will not pay for it since I'm under 50 years old (I'm 48). When I had shingles, it was very painful and was just as bad as the back surgery itself. This convinced me to get the vaccination. I'm currently filing a appeal with my insurance carrier but I'm not holding my breath. I would recommend anybody who wants to get the vaccination to confirm that their insurance will cover it and how much it cost without coverage. I should of looked into this before being put on the hook for $450. |
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| Posted by: Edie1949 in San Diego, CA. | Posted: September 17th, 2019 06:09PM |
2019 Scripps charged over 600.00 for this. After Medicare and my part D insurance with blue Shield I paid $385.00 to Scripps.
This is for the first vaccination. Haven’t been charged yet for the 2nd vaccination!!!!
This is scary!!! |
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| Posted by: CuteChris in Sun Prairie, WI. | Posted: August 14th, 2019 05:08PM |
I am so lucky. Turned 60 got first shot 8 years ago. Dean Care covered the 300.00 with company ins. Now have Medicare and Medicaid. Both shots were covered at 3.80 each. My Dr. really encouraged me to get it. Aetna for part D paid. Don’t play around. Get the shot. Talking with people, Shingles is a nightmare. Got the second shots at Walmart. They are great. |
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| Posted by: Diane Skeen in Sterling, CO. | Posted: June 21st, 2019 12:06PM |
humana went up 10.00 this year. Same as last year, they pay no more or no less. So it looks like we just waste our money, Today I was told at Walmart 171,??. That is what each shot cost. |
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| Posted by: a user in Seattle, WA. | Posted: January 26th, 2019 05:01PM |
My 80 year old father had shingles once. His doc now wants him to get the shots, they come as a pair of shots and his Medicaid does not cover that so he would have to get on a waiting list and it's about $200 per shot! |
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| Posted by: Andrews in Richmond, VA. | Posted: April 18th, 2018 05:04PM |
Please update on new "shingrix" vaccine. FDA OK'd Oct. 2017. Some insurance not cover, or high cost. I'm waiting, hoping cost customers less in future, after on market few years and insurance wants vaccines instead of disease treatment payments. |
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| Posted by: gr007 in Gilbert, AZ. | Posted: April 16th, 2018 08:04PM |
I asked what the cost would be under my Medicare Advantage Health Insurance. The pharmacist told me $30. My health insurance paid the remaining $215 or had a pre-agreed contract with the store (a grocery store with built-in pharmacy department.) |
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| Posted by: Peaky in Beaufort, SC. | Posted: September 24th, 2017 01:09PM |
Aetna Part D co-insurance covers and pays $100, otherwise I was told it would be $300, at Walgreens. I will check around at other pharmacies first. I am 65 but do not want shingles or the associated pain. Would like to know the effectiveness of the vaccine before I spend the money however. One pharmacist said it would be cheaper if I have spent a lot on medications through the year. Hard to nail this down and get a straight story on charges. |
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External Resources: |
- www.shotnurse.com/Zostavax.php
- www.shotnurse.com/prepay.php
- news.walgreens.com/
- statehealthplan.state.nc.us/retiredMembers/pharm-benefits.aspx
- www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/vac-faqs.htm
- news.walgreens.com/
- wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/find-clinic
- www.zostavax.com/
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