Shingles vaccine when under 50

[Deanne]

I asked the health center for the shingles vaccine. They said they can give it to me if I provide a note from my neph authorizing it. I have the note now. However, they also said that insurance won't cover it because I'm only 48. I called my insurance company and they confirmed they don't cover it for people under 50. They said it's a federal guideline. If you got the shingles vaccine as an under 50-year-old, were you able to bypass this? If you paid for it out-of-pocket, what did you have to pay for it? I have a call in to the health center to ask their price, but I'd like other opinions so I know if they're overcharging for it.

[Annig83]

Hi Deanne-

I'm only 28, and I've never even had the chicken pox, (however, I was vaccinated 17 years ago), but my father got shingles even after having the vaccine and he's now 65 (he had it two years ago).  I know that with paying out of pocket that it's very costly to have the vaccine.  It's around 200-300 dollars.  Even then, the vaccine isn't 100% effective (it's 50%), it only decreases the risk, and the pain if you do contract it.

That's all the info. I really have, and I hope it helps you a little bit?  If you have the cash to spend on it and think it's really necessary, then it's up to you.  If you think you can wait a couple of years so you don't have to pay out of pocket then by all means wait.  I would discuss it further with your doctors.  I know mine always make me get pneumonia and flu (and even then I still catch the flu almost every year  ).  Good luck!

[amanda100wilson]

My mother in law developed shingles several years ago, and Knowing the pain that she suffered and still does (she has post-herpetic neuralgia) I would say that it is well worth having.  I didn't know that one was available.

[KarenInWA]

And something to remember, for those who don't know (I know Deanne does), is you can't have the vaccine once you're on immunosuppresants. It is a live vaccine, so if you are going to get it and are on the list for a transplant, it's best to get it done now. From what I understand, you want to get it at least 3 mos before transplant, if you have a live donor and are able to plan that.

I know Cariad has a thread on here somewhere about that.

KarenInWA

[Rerun]

EEEEkkkkk good to know.  I'm not waiting for a transplant, but didn't think about al live virus. 

I've had shingles and omg they suck.  AND I can get them again. 

[KarenInWA]

Here's the link to that thread I mentioned.

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=24938.msg403733#msg403733

KarenInWa

[Chris]

And something to remember, for those who don't know (I know Deanne does), is you can't have the vaccine once you're on immunosuppresants. It is a live vaccine, so if you are going to get it and are on the list for a transplant, it's best to get it done now. From what I understand, you want to get it at least 3 mos before transplant, if you have a live donor and are able to plan that.

I know Cariad has a thread on here somewhere about that.

KarenInWA

And with that, I have nothing to add/

[CebuShan]

Wow! I didn't know a vaccine was available. I remember my grandmother getting shingles and what she went through. Thanks, I'll have to look into this.

[Jean]

I did ask about the vaccine when a friend of mine had a bad case of shingles. So, I am well over 50 and on Medicare and a supplemental plan. Dr. said the charge for the shot is $75.00. Probably well worth it.

[Deanne]

I think I'll wait until my next neph appointment and talk to her about it some more. What are the odds of getting shingles? High? If so, I'll pay out of pocket if I need to and get it done. Low? Maybe I don't really need it, especially if it's only 50% effective anyway.

Like KarenInWA said, if I don't get it before the transplant, I can't get it at all. The average wait on the transplant list is 2-3 years. I've been listed about 6 months and I'll be 50 in about 15 months. So it's possible I'll still be on the list when I hit my 50th birthday and insurance will cover it. My neph thinks I'll be transplanted sooner because of my blood type (A) and PRA (0). The transplant center will put me on a "hold" status for six weeks if/when I get this vaccine, which is why I wanted to get it early in the process, and I figured now would be a good time to do it since I'm on hold anyway after gallbladder surgery.

[ThadRather]

Hi Deanne-

I'm only 28, and I've never even had the chicken pox, (however, I was vaccinated 17 years ago), but my father got shingles even after having the vaccine and he's now 65 (he had it two years ago).  I know that with paying out of pocket that it's very costly to have the vaccine.  It's around 200-300 dollars.  Even then, the vaccine isn't 100% effective (it's 50%), it only decreases the risk, and the pain if you do contract it.

That's all the info. I really have, and I hope it helps you a little bit?  If you have the cash to spend on it and think it's really necessary, then it's up to you.  If you think you can wait a couple of years so you don't have to pay out of pocket then by all means wait.  I would discuss it further with your doctors.  I know mine always make me get pneumonia and flu (and even then I still catch the flu almost every year  ).  Good luck!

It is very critical situation indeed..Vaccine is very expensive and you will not get enough claim as you are never able to complete insurance company demands.

[MooseMom]

Deanne, did you ever get the shingles vaccine?  I decided against it because of the 3 month waiting period, and good thing I did because I ended up getting the call sooner than I'd expected.  My dad had shingles, and it wasn't pleasant.  I had the chicken pox when I was young, so I think the chances of me getting shingles are probably pretty high.  I think there are things the tx team can prescribe to avoid the worst of the effects if you catch it early enough.  Maybe someone else here has more info on this.

[amanda100wilson]

I have had the vaccine.  CDC recommendeds for anyone over 50, but in reality is generally not paid for by insurance until you are over 60 or 65 (not sure which).  Howeverm my secondary insurance did cover it.  You will need to get a PCP to give it.  Those Minute Clinics go on guidance and the guidance says that it won't be covered under 50 (probably too much hassle for them).

[Deanne]

I did get the vaccine. We have a medical clinic at work and they were willing to give it to me if my neph would provide a note. My neph encouraged me to get it so a note from her was no problem. I never found out how it was covered - if it was turned in to my insurance or if my work clinic somehow covered it. I never got a statement about it. Our work clinic handles vaccinations because people tend to travel overseas and they want us healthy, so it might be that they included this from that fund.