Shingrix Vaccine - How much are you paying?

Some claim the promos for shingles vaccine are "scare tactics".
Obviously, they have never had it or been near a loved one with it.
There is NO EXAGGERATION about the pain/dangers of shingles.
I wish we could attribute anti-vax sentiments to ignorance,
but the only alternatives are about as scary as the disease itself.

meh

In this case, I would prefer to throw rocks at anti-vaxxers.
I would save a few for Novo Nordisk, though . . .

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Wed May 23, 2018 5:21 pm

Who wants to criticize Big Pharma now?

Anybody that pays any attention at all to the rapacious pricing.

Wondering if I should ask about this at my next annual checkup. I'm only on my mid-forties, but I've never had a diagnosed case of chicken pox, I don't recall if my last titre said I was immune or not and also don't recall whether I ever had the second shot (I know I've had the initial shot at least twice because we were contemplating a pregnancy and then I forgot about it for a year). I currently work in long term care and we had a resident come down with shingles on his bald head 2 weeks ago...

RicaLynn wrote: ↑

Wed May 23, 2018 7:31 pm

Wondering if I should ask about this at my next annual checkup. I'm only on my mid-forties, but I've never had a diagnosed case of chicken pox,

The CDC recommends it for people 50 and older. Even if they don't remember having chicken pox, they should get the vaccine.

Since you are under 50, you might want to discuss your work exposure with your doctor.

I talked to my supplemental insurance. I have original Medicare. It is a Tier 4 drug so subject to the deductible. My Mom and I have the same coverage with a $405 deductible. Since my deductible was zapped first thing in January from insulin, I only have to pay $8.35 for each injection. My Mom will have to pay about $142 for each since she has no T3-5 medications. Also, since it's a Part D, if you have it done at your doctor's office, you have to pay their price plus extra and apply for a refund of what Medicare pays (most clinics don't work with Part D).

So, do yourself a favor. Call your supplemental to find out what it will cost you first. Could be a cost you are stuck for (pun intended) but for many, having it later in the year will work better financially.

I opted to be the first guinea pig in my family and got the first shot today. The pharmacist said that some folks have had flu-like symptoms for 2-3 days (nausea, headache, body ache). In addition, arm pain is common, so I'm trying that movement thing I do for tetanus (moving your arm all around at least once an hour) to see how that works. Since I'm going to be in the house for the current heat wave, I figured now was better than later. I paid $8.35 for the shot.

My arm ached for about 3 days, during the day it was ok, but it woke me up at night. Now I've got the 2nd shot to look forward to.

Cardsfan wrote: ↑

Fri May 25, 2018 3:22 pm

My arm ached for about 3 days, during the day it was ok, but it woke me up at night. Now I've got the 2nd shot to look forward to.

Years ago when I was in the military, a neighbor, who was a corpsman, told me to start taking aspirins in the morning when I knew I was going to get a shot, and continue to take them every four hours until I went to bed that night. I followed his advice, and never had problems with shots after that, except for the double dose of gamma globulin I got because of a certain captain that worked down the hall from us.

What's all the aspirin do?

Since it is Medicare part D, not part B, I will have to wait
until I am out of the coverage gap.
WISH ME LUCK.

The aspirin kept my arms from getting sore after the shots. I only had two shots that ever bothered me: the gamma globulin and the black plague shot.

Cardsfan wrote: ↑

Fri May 25, 2018 6:55 pm

What's all the aspirin do?

Thins the blood a bit.

Aspirin is an analgesic, which means it slightly relieves pain.
If you are lucky, it might be enough.