Would you consider the shingles vaccine?

[GailL1]

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@ss11943859 wrote:

No ! I had a mild case of shingles years ago, no replapse since. Dr. didn't suggest a shot. I don't get flu shots, had a pneumonia shot once. Don't know if I need more than one shot for pnemonia, Dr. hasn't said anything about anything ! I was diagnosed with osteoporosis years ago, & the dr. prescribed Fosamax. I declined. Since then I heard of class action suits against the makers of this drug-women who'd been taking Fosamax for a couple years or more were experiencing bone loss. What's With That ?? Later on, the dr. asked if I had filled that earlier prescription. When I told her about the lawsuit, she seemed surprised, said that drug was still on the market & still being prescribed. Again, I ask-What's With That !!??

Excuse me for having very little faith in the medical profession.

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You can get shingles again  - it can flare up at anytime - the new vaccination is better than the previous one - longer lasting and the new one is not a "live vaccination".  Medicare Part D covers it as your plan describes.  The new one (Shingrix) is a two-part vaccine; taken several weeks apart..  Many pharmacies have it on backorder right now - usually they work from a waiting list when it is available.

Older Adults Need Two Pneumococcal Vaccines of different makeup - these will protect you against 36 different strains of the pneumococcal bacteria.

CDC recommends 2 pneumococcal vaccines for all adults 65 years or older.

• You should receive a dose of PCV13 first, followed by a dose of PPSV23, at least 1 year later.
• If you already received any doses of PPSV23, get the dose of PCV13 at least 1 year after the most recent PPSV23 dose.
• If you already received a dose of PCV13 at a younger age, CDC does not recommend another dose.

PCV13 protects against 13 strains of pneumococcal bacteria and PPSV23 protects against 23 strains of pneumococcal bacteria. Both vaccines provide protection against illnesses like meningitis and bacteremia. PCV13 also provides protection against pneumonia.

CDC - Pneumococcal Vaccines for Adults

Medicare PART B pays for BOTH -

Medicare Part B covers 2 different pneumococcal shots. Part B covers the first shot at any time and a different, second shot if it’s given at least one year after the first shot.

Your costs in Original Medicare

You pay nothing for pneumococcal shots if your doctor or other qualified health care provider accepts assignment

Medicare.gov - Pneumococcal Vaccinations

Can't help you on the Fosamax - I took another variety for a year or so but it made my TMJ worse and my hips would just ache - common side effects - so I stopped taking any bone density meds.

Here is the last I read on the lawsuit -

Reuters 06/28/2018 - U.S. Supreme Court to hear Merck appeal over Fosamax suits

[se4855]

Agree

[ss11943859]

No ! I had a mild case of shingles years ago, no replapse since. Dr. didn't suggest a shot. I don't get flu shots, had a pneumonia shot once. Don't know if I need more than one shot for pnemonia, Dr. hasn't said anything about anything ! I was diagnosed with osteoporosis years ago, & the dr. prescribed Fosamax. I declined. Since then I heard of class action suits against the makers of this drug-women who'd been taking Fosamax for a couple years or more were experiencing bone loss. What's With That ?? Later on, the dr. asked if I had filled that earlier prescription. When I told her about the lawsuit, she seemed surprised, said that drug was still on the market & still being prescribed. Again, I ask-What's With That !!??

Excuse me for having very little faith in the medical profession.

[se4855]

Not yet.  People on both sides of my family have had Shingles.  There was no vaccine available.  But my doctor is still reluctant to say it is safe.  So I will just wait for a while longer.

[bs46866589]

What drug stopres in West Los Angeles have the shingles shot?  I am on several waiting list but have never heard from any of these outlets.  Also on the VA list but have not heard from it eiher.

[s264473m]

Not getting the second one, had a bad reaction to the first shot, whole body felt like it was burning for about 15 minutes, light flashes and dimmed vision,  profuse sweating,nausea 

[NavyVet649]

In late September/2018, wife and I got our second of two shingles shots. All four shots cost us, but we wanted to be protected and her PCP highly recommended it, as did my VA PCP. It took around a week for the pain to really subside, but it finally did go away. 

BTW, I'm 69 and she is 70. 

[lch912]

YES

[christinaw901539]

The first shot caused that kind of pain for me. But the second didn't. You should get the 2nd shot. Better than getting shingles. 

[christinaw901539]

My BC/BS paid 100% of the vaccine for me. Not "all" don't pay.