I'm really excited about this new vaccine. It's supposed to be so much more effective than the previous one AND we can still get Shingrix even if we had the previous vaccine. I asked at my last doctor's visit in March if they had it yet and they didn't, but I'll be first in line when they get their supply!

cool - I will check our local pharmacies. Thanks for the info!

Great minds...! Just got back from my neighborhood pharmacy where I got both this and a Hepatitis A vaccine! We've had an outbreak of Hep A - 210 cases in my city alone recently where we normally see 20 a year for the entire state. DD and grandsons have gotten the vaccine - DGS2 ate at a Panera where a worker has been diagnosed and it was recommended all who had eaten there be vaccinated.

Today is the KY Derby and every single restaurant in town is a nervous wreck that a customer will get this. NOT good for business or their customers!

BTW - with Medicare and Tricare for Life, these two shots didn't cost me a penny. Most folks I know have had a pretty big co-pay.

Is this the new shingles vaccine? I had the first one last week, and was told that it might not be covered. The cost is over $200 for each one. I do have BC/BS so hope they kick in.

Phyllis, keep asking.....other insurance carriers have this vaccination on the list of covered items. Yes, it's the new, much improved version.

https://ml.houzz.com/TrhvSCmHzM

I got the new shingle shot yesterday at my pharmacy where I went to pick up a prescription from my doctor. I had forgotten to ask him about the shot that morning during my doc.appt., so when I saw it advertised on CVS's bulletin board I asked for it. With Medicare and my insurance it costs me $43 a shot. Have to go back in 2 - 4 months for the second shot (also $43) to complete the vaccine.

Well, let me tell you shots normally don't hurt me too much but this one did. Of course it could have been the pharmacist, and they are always so busy at CVS she appeared harried. Anyway later that night my arm started to have some pain at the site. It got worse by the time I went to bed. Now this evening the area is hot to the touch and appears swelled to me beyond the injection site. I'm wondering if I should call CVS or my doctor? Six months ago my doc. told me he wanted to hold off giving the vaccine until there was more feedback on reactions, etc. Uh-oh. Maybe I should have called his office before letting CVS give me the shot.

Do you think it would be ok to put pain reducing creme on my upper arm?

rhizo is correct. This shot is suppose to be 97% effective and one will never need another shingle shot, according to the CVS pharmacist.

They were advertising it today at Costco.

I was told it might be sore for several days. My pharmacist suggested taking a Tylenol.

My husband says that he didn't really feel the injection, but I know that his shoulder really started hurting about an hour later. He put an ice pack on it and has taken an ibuprofin and is much more comfortable.

Read the information that the pharmacy sent home with you about what to look out for and what to worry about. Use ice to help with swelling.

I got swept up doing something at home so couldn't get to CVS but will get mine tomorrow.

I had a sore arm from it for a couple of days, and that was unusual as shots never bother me. It wasn't bad and left after a couple of days.

Thanks all. And I forgot to mention that I am COLD also. Have been sitting in the recliner wrapped in a throw all evening. This is honestly the first time I've had an reaction like this to a shot. Maybe that's why they suggest waiting 2 - 6 months before the next one? ugh. I agree, better than shingles. Never had them but my mom and a friend did.

Yeah, that would be a good idea to read the information they sent home with me huh? Thanks.

Anyone having side effects from this new vaccine? We've been getting a few calls lately after they started giving them in TN. People have been complaining of flu like symptoms. I haven't gotten any of those calls but one of the other nurses I work with has gotten 5 or 6 in the past couple of weeks.

I have coverage for prescriptions. I work in a for a major nation wide drug store chain. THIS IS NOT COVERED BY MY PLAN! Seriously! NOT! And it's the only reason I'm not getting it. It's expensive. Why the drug store chain I work for has such a crappy drug coverage (it also didn't cover a pain medication my husband needed, yet when he had coverage through his job, his coverage paid it), I'll never know. :(

I need to ask my doctor about this. I never had chickenpox as a child so I worry about it. I think shingles is that same virus.

schoolhouse, lol. Yes, dear....you will learn something if you read that paragraph or two about the symptoms.

I'm still waiting for Medical Mutual to determine if it's covered by Part D insurance coverage. It's definitely not covered by Medicare A or B.

Schoolhouse, how are you feeling today?

I still don't feel 100% this morning, and the area is still warm to the touch and sore. Notice some aches and pains too but I don't know if it's related to the shot or the mowing I did when I came home from the pharmacy. Maybe that wasn't a good idea, should have just relaxed and stayed quiet.

Chi, there was a different pharmacist at CVS who was looking up my insurance coverage and I asked her if she was the one who would be giving me the shot. She said, "Oh no! I've never had measles and I can't even be around the vaccine for fear of getting shingles!".

I didn't ask which part of Medicare covered the shot, but I have Part D and Part F which is a supplemental insurance. I wonder if that's what helped pay for it.

Idiot pharmacist!!!

My pharmacist said that some people do have flu-like symptoms that last for a day or two - take a Tylenol. My arm is sore this AM but only if I touch it - nothing else.

Anglo, like you, it only really hurts if I touch it or bump my arm against something.

I think I have Tylenol in the cabinet.

I just got back from getting mine. I don't mind getting shots but I don't watch, either. I saw the needle afterwards and yikes, it seemed huge! I'm shocked that it didn't hurt.

I didn't even think to look at the needle. So according to the time stamp you posted 22 minutes ago. Let us know later how your arm feels, rhizo. Do you mind saying how much you had to pay?

Schoolhouse, I paid nothing. Our insurance will be different when we have the second shot, since husband will be retired by then but the Pharmacist said that even if it might not be free, the co-pay wouldn't be much more than $20.

So far, I don't feel a thing from the shot. Nothing. By this time, my husband was whining like a six year old boy, lol. I delivered ice packs and ibuprofin to his recliner! His arm, by the way, is still very sore, but he feels better overall.

Edited Monday morning: well, I'm pretty miserable with terrible chills, all over aches, a mild fever, and awful pain in my arm. So I didn't get off as easy as I hoped. ;-(