<p>Yes, Medicare does pay for the vaccine.</p>
<p>I forgot to ask about the shingles vaccine at my annual physical and when I got my flu shot a few weeks ago. Will insurers cover it before age 60?</p>
<p>My insurance didn’t cover it at age 60. I decided to get it anyway because of how miserable my Mom was (and she was NOT a complainer). I’m not a big fan of pain.</p>
<p>The Mayo Clinic website says this about the shingles vaccine: “The vaccine contains live virus and should not be given to people who have weakened immune systems.”</p>
<p>My D had the shingles when she was VERY young. I read somewhere that once you have had the bona fide shingles, the chance of getting it again is very slim.</p>
<p>I had a terrible case of chicken pox in junior high and have been terrified of getting shingles. I can report that I just had the vaccination at age 55 and it was free through my Kaiser insurance! I did have inflammation at the injection site, but I am so happy to have gotten the vaccine. Hope this helps some Kaiser patients.</p>
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<p>This is also happened to my husband, who never had chickenpox as a child (verified by an antibody test). It is extremely alarming because it means that the Varivax immunization given to children, which contains a live virus, is causing enough latent infection to lead to shingles outbreaks later in life. I was not aware of this “complication” when I had my daughter immunized as a child. At the time, we were led to believe that the chickenpox vaccine would protect against shingles in adulthood. The fact that shingles is appearing only 10 or 15 years after immunization indicates that the vaccine does not induce immunity comparable to “wild” chickenpox virus. I would encourage anyone whose child develops shingles years after receiving the Varivax immunization to report the information directly to Merck. It is considered an “adverse effect” of their vaccine. </p>
<p>The FDA recently (last year) approved the administration of the shingles vaccine (Zostavax) for anyone age 50 and older, so insurance companies should cover it if you request it. Effectiveness of vaccines wanes with age of the patient, so the sooner the better.</p>
<p>The CDC has not changed its recommended age of 60 years and older for the shingles vaccine, however. That is keeping my doctor from recommending the vaccine to patients at 50 and the reason many insurance companies won’t cover it, apparently.</p>
<p>Regarding efficacy, also from the CDC site:</p>
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<p>None. I would never do that shot, regardless of who recommends it.</p>
<p>Personally, I saw how much my H & D suffered from their bouts of shingles and didn’t mind paying <$200 for the shot to get the protection. They were both utterly miserable & needed codeine to be able to sleep at night (since both have high pain/discomfort tolerances, that was VERY unusual).</p>
<p>Our family had an elderly member develop a case that was not readily apparent from the normal symptoms. It persisted and wound up causing a viral encephalitis that nearly caused a death. Doctors took two weeks to figure out that the overall symptoms were from shingles, because it was not a classic case. </p>
<p>Given that experience and the stories of persistent pain issues from episodes, I’m planning to get one shortly. I wanted to wait a couple of years to see what the generalized experience was, but I think you’re much better off to get it than not. </p>
<p>And it does seem that maybe age 50 is better than 60.</p>
<p>I am one of the exceptions to the “one time only” rule…had chickenpox as a child, shingles at age 20, and then shingles AGAIN last summer (age 53). I think i should not need the vaccine now! </p>
<p>Sent from my DROID X2 using CC</p>
<p>I am 58 and will be getting a shingles vaccination as soon as my doctor gets a new supply in stock. (Her office seems to have difficulty keeping the vaccine in stock.) I figure it’s time for me to be proactive regarding herpes. I believe that for some reason members of my family have difficulty keeping h. zoster subdued. Both of my Ds had mild cases of shingles at age 7! Both had chicken pox when very young - the chicken pox vaccination wasn’t available when they were little. I had a mild case of shingles when I was in my mid-30s. My brother got them in his 40s. Our mother had a nasty case this spring at age 82. Of the 5 family members who experienced shingles, she was the only one to have a bad case. However, I figure that my odds of having a bad case are getting worse with every passing year. Since my insurance company will now pay for the vaccination for those over age 50, I will be getting it ASAP!</p>
<p>Have been told that you can get shingles more than once. I would definitely want to do what I can to avoid getting it, since it can be SO nasty. This is why I & H have both gotten the vaccine, even tho we have both had chickenpox AND shingles.</p>
<p>You CAN get it twice. You are less likely to get it if you’ve had it before, but some unfortunate people get it multiple times. My ex-fil seemed to always have it. Very painful.</p>
<p>Folks who have low immune systems seem somewhat more susceptible to shingles (& other infections) than folks in more robust health. Even long after skin has healed from shingles (sometimes scarring), the poor sufferer can still have pain along the nerves where the shingles attacked. It was the pain that was the most difficult for H & D, even more than the itching of the lesions. They were the ones who insisted I see a dermatologist on the 1st day three little itchy spots erupted and get started on an antiviral so I wouldn’t be plagued by the full course of shingles as they had been. I am extremely grateful to have been spared and wasted no time dithering about getting the vaccine once it was announced as being available for those of us 50 and older (didn’t get it when it was only recommended for folks 60 and up).</p>
<p>"Yes, Medicare does pay for the vaccine. "
-Just stumble on info accidently while searching for something else. It sounds like you have to have Part D. If you signed only for part A, it does no look like it is covered. For me personaly, there are couple other concerns. First, the success rate is only 50%. Second, I cannot find good list of and conditions for side effects. I am considering having it, but I am really concerned. I do not feel positive about vaccinations in general especially after certain age. I also read that most who get shingles are not exactly in perfect shape in regard to their immune system, but again there are cases of very young people (in 20s) getting it. Very confusing in terms of pros and cons.
So, I basically welcome any input, sharing any story. </p>
<p>lmkh70,
Why you “would never do that shot, regardless of who recommends it.”? I am very interested to hear your reasons.</p>
<p>When I got the shot, my doc told me that it was something like 80% successful and, for the 20% who still got shingles, the symptoms were generally milder than would have otherwise been the case.</p>
<p>Regardless of what percentage the success rate actually is – 50%? 80%? – I figure – why not? Anything that may be helpful should be taken advantage of.</p>
<p>"Anything that may be helpful should be taken advantage of. "
-Well there is always pros/cons balance to figure out. I am in a dark as of now. I consistantly find 50% figure, I did not see 80% anywhere. 80% vs 50% makes a huge difference. Would be nice to know how many of cases are connected to weakened immune system. The fact that it is not that much info is also bothering. And again, it is much harder decision for people who do not like to get vaccinated. It might not be such a big deal for those who get flu shots every year.</p>