New Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix) Is Now Available

New Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix) is now available

Shingles vaccination protects against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication from shingles. CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine called Shingrix®, separated by 2 to 6 months, to prevent shingles and the complications from the disease.

Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and PHN. Two doses of Shingrix is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and PHN. Protection stays above 85% for at least the first four years after you get vaccinated. Shingrix is the preferred vaccine, over Zostavax®, a shingles vaccine in use since 2006.

You should get Shingrix even if in the past you

• had shingles
• received Zostavax
• are not sure if you had chickenpox

There is no maximum age for getting Shingrix.

If you had shingles in the past, you can get Shingrix to help prevent future occurrences of the disease. There is no specific length of time that you need to wait after having shingles before you can receive Shingrix, but generally you should make sure the shingles rash has gone away before getting vaccinated.

If you had Zostavax in the recent past, you should wait at least eight weeks before getting Shingrix. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine the best time to get Shingrix.

Shingrix is available in doctor’s offices and pharmacies.  If you have questions about Shingrix, talk with your healthcare provider.

How can I Pay For Shingrix?

  Medicare

• Medicare Part D plans cover the shingles vaccine, but there may be a cost to you depending on your plan. There may be a copay for the vaccine, or you may need to pay in full then get reimbursed for a certain amount.
• Medicare Part B does not cover the shingles vaccine.

New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP)

The Department of Civil Service’s Employee Benefits Division (EBD) has advised RPEA that all NYSHIP plans currently cover Shingrix. The Empire Plan covers the vaccine at no copay from a participating provider’s office or a participating pharmacy. (Covered preventive immunizations obtained at a CVS Caremark national vaccine network pharmacy will be paid in full and will not require a copayment.)