Did you know millions of Americans are diagnosed with shingles each year? Now, older adults can get vaccinated for free.
As you age, your immune system weakens and your risk of developing shingles increases. The virus, which is a reactivation of chicken pox, could cause older adults to experience pain, itching, fever and more.
Fortunately, the shingles vaccine, Shingrix, is a fairly simple and low-risk prevention tool against the virus, with the CDC confirming 97% effectiveness in adults 50 to 69 years old with healthy immune systems.
In 2022, GSK, which manufactures Shingrix, reported that the price for immunizations was $171.57 per dose for the uninsured. And GoodRx estimated the average retail price per dose was about $211 last year. To be fully vaccinated against shingles, you must receive two doses of the vaccine.
Now, under the Inflation Reduction Act, which became a law in August 2022, you no longer have to pay out-of-pocket costs or deductibles for immunizations covered under Medicare Part D—including the shingles vaccine.
“The impact of this change in Medicare will be huge,” said Dr. Karen Kinsell, MD, a physician from Fort Gaines, Georgia. “Everyone knows someone who has had shingles, and how painful and debilitating it is. We are seeing more and more cases of shingles in older people the past few years because children are being vaccinated against chicken pox, the virus that causes shingles. … Seniors are not continuing to build up their own immunity to the virus.”
Kinsell said the new vaccine, Shingrix, is very effective. However, the high price point kept many older adults from getting it.
“Most of my patients have not been vaccinated due to the high cost,” Kinsell said. “But getting shingles results in higher health care costs, with the many doctor visits, medications and even hospitalizations. It only makes sense for Medicare to cover the cost of the vaccine—both to save seniors from the misery of shingles and to save Medicare costs in the long run.”
Under federal law, nearly 64 million Medicare beneficiaries will now be able to receive their shingles vaccines for free, making it especially accessible to low-income families, black and Latino communities, and people with disabilities who are most affected by the high cost of immunizations.
“I expect that many seniors will rush to take advantage of this new benefit, and they should,” Kinsell said.
Older adults who want to get their free shingles vaccine can register for an appointment at their local drug store. Stores like Safeway, CVS, Rite Aid and Walmart are now offering the vaccine.
