Since we are talking about vaccinations. Here is the new one for this year. It just got FDA approval, and no doubt Medicare will cover it. If you have ever had herpes zoster, like I have, you should get this when it becomes available.
LINK:http://www.pharmtech.com/fda-panel-votes-unanimously-approve-gsk-shingles-vaccine

FDA Panel Votes Unanimously to Approve GSK Shingles Vaccine
Sep 14, 2017
By Pharmaceutical Technology Editors
On Sept. 13, 2017, members of a US FDA advisory panel unanimously voted for approval of GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) new shingles vaccine, Shingrex, as a way to prevent shingles in adults age 50 and over. According to Reuters, reviewers voted 11 – 0 for approval of the vaccine, which Thomson Reuters analysts predict will achieve $1 billion in sales by 2023.

Shingrix contains an immune adjuvant, QS-21 Stimulon, developed by Agenus, that is said to boost efficacy. Shingles affects mainly older people, and results from reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and remains latent in those who have had that disease.

In clinical trials, the vaccine remained about 90% effective in patients over age 70, where other vaccines’ efficacy declined over time, Reuters reports.

Panelists questioned the incidence of certain reported adverse health issues among Shingrix recipients, including gout and stroke, according to Reuters, but GSK scientists do not believe that these were related to the compound, and have proposed launching a post-approval safety monitoring plan.

Google Shingrex for morre information.

Better wait and see with all the money involved, notwithstanding the scientific factors.

Shingles is nasty stuff. Get vaccinated. I can not comment on this particular vaccine, but I can say that you should get vaccinated. My brother in law got shingles in his late 40s, and it invaded his face, and he had to stay home for many weeks. My sister is a Doc, and her husband now listens to her.

This is a far better vaccine than the current one.

The current one is < 70% effective for < 4.5 years. This one is 97% effective. It's the one I've been waiting for.

I got shingles in 2009 at age 36. Thankfully it was a pretty mild case. It sucked. After a few weeks I was over the constant localized pain and ready for it to be gone. I'll have to see if I can get the shot.

I keep running into people who got the shingles as I get older.

I have been thinking that is probably a vaccine to get, as I certainly had the chicken pox and shingles seems terrible.

Get vaccinated.

I have inquired as I'm in the target age group. Turns out up till now it's not covered by my Blue health care plan.

Does this brain trust understand why doctors and CDC are ALWAYS advocating vaccines, and so many health care plans cover wimenz issues galore, but this basic for 1/3 of the age group can be left out to buy their own instead of covering the obvious preventative care?

I was lucky enough to get Shingles last year - scalp and right side of my face - the blistering and pain was very bad

was home for almost 4 weeks, still get phantom pain from where the blisters were - scalp, hair line, eyebrow, even had three blisters on my upper eyelid that caused a bit of concern for my eyeball doc

Your call, but if you can afford it, get it. Politics aside, and episode of shingles can be MUCH more expensive than the vaccine. Like 6 weeks off work and complications for about a year.

GET THE SHOT...

Too late for me. A few years back I got Shingle in my EYE !!!

Needless to say I am functionally blind in that eye. I am looking thru scar tissue.

We wont even get into the pain factor involved.

Bob

Aside from the cost are there any issues with getting this vaccine if you have already had a shingles injection? I believe mine was Zostervax (sp?) about 2-3 years ago.

This is I will get. I had chicken pox, so I’m certainly in line for shingles; it’s just a matter of time and stress for me.

Yeah, this is on vaccine I may get.

I'll wait until I'm certain the new one's in the pipe, though.

quote:

I have inquired as I'm in the target age group. Turns out up till now it's not covered by my Blue health care plan.

It depends. Complain to your doctor, who can then appeal to the insurance company. The vaccine saves the company money. Caring for people who get shingles costs MORE for them. If it is a plan covered by your employer and self funded you can be successful. Do not give up, and if you have to pay for it get it.

quote:

Aside from the cost are there any issues with getting this vaccine if you have already had a shingles injection? I believe mine was Zostervax (sp?) about 2-3 years ago.

Check with your physician or pharmacist. Another tidbit, it you are diagnosed with shingles and start on Acyclovir within 24 to 72 hours, it lessens the severity immensely. If you had the old vaccine, Zostavax, it lessens the severity of an outbreak as well. The biggest problem is PHN, which is chronic nerve pain that is not easily treated. I had the vaccine seven years ago, got the characteristic rash and started on Acyclovir. The severity was reduced, but it was no picnic. I plan to get the new vaccine when it is made available. It is a blockbuster drug and will make billions for GSK. The ads on TV will be coming I am sure, and I can just imagine what they will come up with. I am thinking of some older tough guy like Clint Eastwood writhing in pain would be effective. {sarcasm intended}

I need to look into this. I never had chicken pox, so I got the shingles vaccine in 2001 or so to try to prevent adult chicken pox or shingles.

I wonder if I need to have this done as well.

Get vaccinated, especially if you're older. My health insurance covered mine, I think the minimum age was 55 for free coverage.

since I got it last April my doc says I need to wait a year before I can get the shot

according to her the old vaccine was 65% effective if you never had an episode of shingles, if you had it the rate reduced to about 50% - about on par with the flu shot

I have a standing prescription already ready for a flu shot so my insurance plan will cover it as soon as I am eligible