How much does the shingles vaccine cost without insurance

If you’re interested in reducing your risk of getting shingles, you may want to learn more about Shingrix. It’s a vaccine used to prevent shingles (herpes zoster infection) in adults.

Shingrix comes as an injection you’ll get in your upper arm muscle. It’s injected by a healthcare professional or a pharmacist.

Shingrix is a recombinant vaccine. It’s made up of parts of the shingles virus that are inactivated. It isn’t a live vaccine.

Keep reading for details on the Shingrix vaccine and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on Shingrix, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Shingrix can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. It will also depend on how much you have to pay for visits with your doctor if you get Shingrix at a healthcare facility.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Shingrix, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you need help covering the cost of Shingrix or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

• NeedyMeds
• Medicine Assistance Tool

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

While no coupon is offered for Shingrix, most insurance plans cover the vaccine for eligible adults. If you don’t have insurance, a program called GSK for You may be available to help with the cost of Shingrix.

If you have questions about how to pay for your vaccine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below are answers to some common questions about Shingrix and cost.

How much does Shingrix cost with Medicare?

According to the drug’s manufacturer, Shingrix is typically covered under Medicare Part D. You’ll usually pay $50 or less per dose when you get your shot at a retail pharmacy. Be sure to ask your doctor’s office if they can bill Medicare Part D before you get your shot. (They often can’t bill Medicare Part D for vaccinations.)

Shingrix is not currently covered by Medicare Part B.

Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or Medicare plan provider if you have more questions about the cost of Shingrix.

What is Shingrix’s cost without insurance vs. the cost with insurance?

Your out-of-pocket cost for Shingrix will usually be higher without insurance than with insurance. Your cost will depend on what insurance you have and where you get your vaccine. If you choose to get your vaccine at a pharmacy, the pharmacist can let you know the price before you get each dose.

Shingrix only comes as a brand-name vaccine. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic medication contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication but tends to cost less.

Why is there such a difference in the cost of brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drug manufacturers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you still have questions about the cost of Shingrix, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for the vaccine. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Shingrix.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

• Since Shingrix is two doses, will I have two copays?
• Is there another vaccine similar to Shingrix that may cost less?
• Is it less expensive to get my Shingrix vaccine at the doctor’s office or the pharmacy?
• Is it worth getting Shingrix if I’ve already had the Zostavax vaccine in the past?

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.