I have medicare/medicaid, you bet I am going to ask them. I also am 60 and qualify as a senior citizen. I would love it if this shot was covered, but my phone call to the health dept. said no. Shingles would cost more to treat than the darn old shot, so I don't know why they would not want to cover it. thanks ginnie

Ginnie,
Just a thought, but Walgreens has the shot also. Check with them as well as the occupational health department of your local hospital. I know the regular health dept.. will not deal with insurance.

I haven't been on here in a long time. I do want to say that I had shingles
in May of this year. It's the 2nd time I've had them. The first time was in the 80's.
My Dr. put me on Prednizone for 7 days to stop the pain from remaining and it did work. They are very painful. I actually gave my grandson chickenpox from the shingles. He is 17 and he got a very bad case of them from me.

Ada

I will call walgreens and my local hospital. Good idea to try. Didn't think of that. I appreciate you trying to save me some $. thanks. ginnie

sorry you got the shingles. That is exactly what I am afraid of. They hurt! Sorry you had to go through that. May I ask you your age? Its OK if you don't want to share that too. I am 60 this year. stay healthy. ginnie

I mentioned on a previous post, my sister-in-law (76 yrs. old) is dealing with the 3rd or 4th week of the shingles on head and face. Since she will not be going with us to his daughter's Christmas Eve, he offered we come over to visit her this week, as well as bring her Christmas Gift. She declined and said she wasn't in the mood right now for company. I have to say; even though she is suppose to be past the contagious part; still was a bit leary anyway.

My husband had the shot a couple of weeks ago. Our insurance covered 50% )$90.00) (Medicare) By the way, my husband got his shot at Walgreens. As long as you are somewhat comfortable and know you had the Chicken Pox; you deserve giving yourself a Christmas gift.

I have throid disease, as well as years of problem with the cold sores; so hopefully I do not regret it; but am not getting the shot.

This is what my doctor told me...if you have had chickenpox you can get the shingles. The virus lies in the nerves of the spinal cord close to the brain. You can not get shingles from someone who has shingles, however someone can get the chickenpox from someone that has shingles, if they come in contact with the blisters. Once they scab over you are no longer contagious.

painin the foot

That is absouletly correct. But he/she should not have said your too young if you have had chicken pox.

Ya know the medical community does not make this decision easy. I was told the exact opposite by my doctor. You are more at risk if you have had the chicken pox. You bet I am going to ask some questions. Starting with my doctor clarifing this issue. I will also seek out the internet to see what the latest research is showing. I don't like it when patients are getting mixed messages from our medical community about this. I appreciate your response as it is making me take a second look at this issue before I go in. thanks ginnie

Here are some details on both vaccines...the one for kids, and older adults.

Keep in mind that the "wild type" is becoming more common,

Read this article and you will get a feeling for why the medical community doesn't understand it.

sorry I forgot the link:
http://explorevaccines.wordpress.com...ngles-strains/