Wellness

[Carmie]

@haddon9  you asked why you can get the vaccine and still get shingles.

The new two shot shingles vaccine is 90% effective and provides protection for about 5 years on average.

It's not 100% effective and does not provide a lifetime of coverage.  Boosters are needed.

The one shot vaccine is not being made anymore, but it can still be given if there is any in inventory. That vaccine was less effective.

[2Kittys]

How much does the shot cost? Thanks.

[Carmie]

@2Kittys   Sometimes it is covered by health insurance...usually under the RX drug benefit. Check with your insurance company.

The cost varies, but it is usually between $200 and $300 dollars.

[Anonymous032819]

Last week I got shot #1 of Shingrix at my local Rite-Aid.

I go back in January for shot #2.

My insurance covered 100% of the cost, and I paid exactly $0.00 for my shot.

[ahoymate]

FYI...................Two doses of Shingrix is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and PHN. Protection stays above 85% for at least the first four years after you get vaccinated. Shingrix is the preferred vaccine, over Zostavax® (zoster vaccine live), a shingles vaccine in use since 2006.

[conlt]

I got Shingles on my face at age 61 when I put my mother in hospice. At first I thought I had burned my face by using 2 face products that don't mix together. Being a RN, I recognized the Shingles pretty quick once the blisters started to come out. I went to the eye doctor first because I was afraid I would lose my sight. He put me on an antiviral quickly. I used gold bond lidocaine anti-itch and pain relieving lotion. I also applied Dr. Nassif Hydro shield to my face often to sooth it. Luckily, I did not go blind and I don't have any scars on my face. The doctor is amazed that I don't have any scars on my face and I credit the Dr. Nassif product for that. I took the first Shingles shot in January pre-pandemic and I went for the 2nd shot in June, in the middle of the pandemic. Both times I had a sore arm and a slight temperature and felt tired for a couple of days. I would take the vaccine. I know it is not 100% effective but I don't ever want Shingles again. 

[conlt]

@irbrenda I would take the vaccine if I were you. I can see how having the Covid would cause so much immuno-compromise that one would get the Shingles. One of my coworkers lost his 46 year old sister to Covid yesterday. That is so sad. I am glad that you and your husband recovered from Covid.. Stay safe. 

[conlt]

I specifically asked the pharmacist how long the Shingles vaccine (the new 1) provides protection and he said for life. The old vaccine was only effective for a certain number of years and was less than 90% effective 

[conlt]

Mine was 100% covered but not all insurances cover the vaccine. 

[ID2]

I had shingles 36 years ago when I was 30. No big deal. I did get my 2-phase shingles shot anyway. At my age now it would be quite dangerous if I cought it.