Mayo is changing their shingles drug

[Deb]

Also, there is a lawsuit alleging the previous one was ineffective or perhaps caused shingles.
Begin vaccinating with new shingles vaccine January 29
On January 29, Mayo Clinic will begin offering the new shingles vaccine called Shingrix®. Shingrix will replace Zostavax® as the primary vaccine against shingles disease. Shingrix is overall 97% effective in preventing shingles disease as compared to 51% for Zostavax.
The new vaccine differs significantly from Zostavax:
Inactivated rather than live
Two doses rather than one dose
Intramuscular (IM) instead of subcutaneous
Mixed with an accompanying diluent instead of a standard diluent
Stored refrigerated rather than frozen
Works just as well or nearly as well at age 80 as it does at age 50
Protection appears to last longer without waning as significantly
Far more effective and proven to work just as well, despite having received Zostavax in the past
Mayo Clinic has adopted the following recommendations for Shingrix. These are based on recent decisions by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP):
Given to all patients 50 years and older
Including all currently immunocompromised patients
Including all those previously vaccinated with Zostavax
Give 2 doses IM spaced 2 months apart
The following should be considered when offering shingles vaccination to patients:
Patients should check their insurance before obtaining the Shingrix vaccine.
Mayo Clinic Health Solutions now is covering the two doses of Shingrix.
Other insurance companies have until the end of June to cover.
No information on Medicare coverage at this time for those 65 years and older.
We will turn off GDMS and Blaze (rooming prompts) since they cannot be updated due to Epic.
Providers must write orders until VacPro is ready (by end of March).
Patients should be told to check with insurance before vaccinating (until further notice).
Since official VIS sheets are not available yet, Mayo Clinic will use a temporary VIS (MC7807-10) that will be linked on the ECH Immunization Program Shingrix (HZ/su) web page.
Mayo Clinic Express Care will not offer Shingrix at this time.

[nancyl]

That must be the one my oncologist wanted to give me a couple of weeks ago. I said I would wait a bit. My husband and I both had the shingles last Fall. I am thinking of getting this one if my insurance covers it. Has anyone gotten it yet?

Nancy

[tasmtairy]

No , not covered by Medicare. I have a rash/bites/whatever cluster on my back. Had my Dad look at it today and put alcohol on it. he said it looked like bites. It is more tender than itchy. I don't know. I'll keep an eye on it.

[TXBrenda]

My BCBS covers it. I will see my PCP later this month. I'll see if he wants my to get it. I received the other last year because I was old enough, lol. My hubby is on medicare so I will call my BCBS before he gets the new one.

[tommyboywalker]

In addition to checking with individual pharmacies and physicians about the availability of the vaccine, those of eligible age should check with health insurance providers to see whether the shots are covered.

Medicare Part D covers Shingrix, but Medicare Part B does not.