Why Is The Shingles Vaccine So Expensive

Here s a few reasons why it s difficult to make adults get vaccinated.

Why is the shingles vaccine so expensive.

Although some people will develop shingles despite vaccination the vaccine may reduce the severity and duration of it. The shortages the vaccine s effectiveness and the fact that shingrix is a brand name drug with no competitors have all contributed to its price tag said thomas goetz chief of research at goodrx an online drug price comparison tool. Consumer reports found that many part d plans categorize the shingles vaccine zostavax as an expensive tier 3 or 4 drug. A new shingles vaccine works so why don t people want to get it.

Drugs in tier 1 and 2 mainly lower priced generics and preferred brand name drugs have lower co pays than more expensive nonpreferred brands in tier 3 or 4. Written by dan gray updated on april 3 2019. Some people report a chickenpox like rash after getting the shingles vaccine. Only one pharmaceutical company merck makes the shingles shot and.

The important thing is. And you guessed it we found that many part d plans categorize the shingles vaccine zostavax as an expensive tier 3 or 4 drug. Adults 50 through 59 years who have questions about shingles vaccine should discuss the risks and benefits with a healthcare provider. Why so expensive isenberg said.

Cdc recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine called shingrix recombinant zoster vaccine separated by 2 to 6 months to prevent shingles and the. Only one company merck makes the shingles shot and there s. That s why preventing shingles can be so important. The most common side effects of either shingles vaccine are redness pain tenderness swelling and itching at the injection site and headaches.

The takeaway medicare advantage and medicare part d should cover at least a portion of the shingles vaccine s cost. The shingrix vaccine is so effective that despite this it is still recommended because it s so powerful in preventing the development of a shingles disease swartz.