My doc recommends I get a shingles shot. Anyone had one. Any pros cons side effects (obviously a big pro is not getting shingles which sounds awful). I think I’ll be getting one, just procrastinating.
It is still possible to get shingles after either or both the vaccine or an episode of shingles, but it is more likely to be a milder case.
I really want to get one but I heard that the insurance doesn’t cover it unless you are older than certain age. Sixty something maybe? I don’t know about the side effect of the shot but it shouldn’t be as bad as shingles itself.
I’m 62. My doc said to go to Walgreens and get it as he doesn’t keep it on hand. I think it is only about $25. Not Sure if my High deductible plan covers it or not. Maybe as its preventative. Or maybe not as it covers very little till I merely my deductible. Not too worried if it is $25.
Edited to add: just googled the cost and it is more than I thought. I’d better check out my insurance coverage before I go. Dont want any unpleasant surprises!
Insurance covered it, no pain, no side effects.
I got one and paid under $200 out of pocket for it at Costco. My sis got hers a few years later and insurance covered hers. If you want to be sure our ts coveted, you can check with insutlrer or pharmacy. I had NO side effects other than do ght tendetness at site of shot.
I STRONGLY recommend shot–H and D were both miserable when they had shingles. D still has scars from it.
It was a no brainer for us–H and I each got injection.
I followed Himm’s advice before, and paid out of pocket at Costco. I’ve known people who have suffered through shingles, so the money spent was worth it.
It used to be over 60, now it is over 50. I just got one few weeks ago. My insurance required me to go to a clinic, not a pharmacy, to have it covered. I went to a CVS clinic and didn’t have to pay out of pocket. So check with your insurance for their requirements. I didn’t have any side effects.
My friend’s mom had single 2 months ago and she is still in pain. It was so painful she wasn’t able to sleep for a long time.
I got it when I turned 60. Why wouldn’t you get it? It’s not 100% effective, but as someone posted upthread, even if you get shingles, it’s less intense than if you didn’t get the shot.
I am 58 1/2 and will have the shot the moment I turn 60 and my insurance covers it. Two of my friends (both my age) have had shingles and it was nasty and painful.
I’ve had shingles (ugh) and got the shingles shot later. This was several years ago, I have yet to turn 60, and I don’t believe the shot was covered by insurance. But I don’t ever want to get shingles again! (I was lucky that I didn’t have a rash, but boy, was it painful.)
Last year when I went for my annual physical (at age 51) I asked my doctor about it and she, who happened to have shingles herself at that moment(!!!) and is maybe 3-4 years older than me said to wait because it lasts 20 years but she’d rather I was protected in older age (60-80) than 50-70. I really want to get the shot, though, because my dad had shingles and it’s awful. Can it only be given once?
Interesting - not in a positive way - the different insurance requirements. I had the shot mid-50’s at Walgreens and insurance paid all.
A friend woke up with a rash one morning which began to spread. She got to the doctor quickly, not knowing what it was. Turned out to be shingles. She was given some kind of treatment that minimized the effects and had a “lighter case”, but still not a condition one you would choose. After she recovered, like @fireandrain, she was told to get the vaccine since you can contract shingles more than once. That was news to me.
Oh I just looked on the CDC site and it says it only lasts 5 years! It also says older is better.
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/vacc-need-know.htm
Forgot to add, at the time she developed the condition, my friend was putting off the shingles vaccine until she recovered from a slight cold. @swimcatsmom, don’t trust your luck or procrastinate too long!
I think insurance coverage has changed recently. You should check with your insurance to see if it is covered after 50.
Every insurance company sets their own guidelines. But it sounds like it is worth asking.
My high-deductible plan covered it for DH once he turned 60. I just got a prescription from my MD to get one at Walgreen’s. Since I’m 60, hopefully insurance covers it fully like they did for DH. It’s a very expensive vaccine otherwise.
I had a very mild case of shingles, and it was painful! If the shot can help avoid a more serious case, I’d get one.
Is there any research on getting a booster shot later in life?