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

The Shingrix vaccine and cost are information that should be read.

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.

Talk to your doctor, pharmacy, or insurance provider to find out how much Shingrix will cost.

If you need help understanding your insurance, check out these websites.

You can find information on insurance, drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards on these sites.

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 to your doctor or pharmacist.

There are answers to some questions about Shingrix.

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 covered by Medicare.

If you have questions about the cost of Shingrix, you can ask your doctor, pharmacy, or Medicare plan provider.

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

Without insurance, the cost for Shingrix will be higher. The cost will be dependent on what insurance you have and where you get your vaccine. The price of the vaccine can be found at the pharmacy before you get it.

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 make sure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. The drugs can be expensive if they are tested. The manufacturer of a drug can sell it for 20 years. Generic versions can be created by other drug manufacturers. The market can lead to lower prices for generics. Generics have the same ingredients as brand-name drugs, so they don’t need to be studied again. This can lead to lower costs.”

If you still have questions about the cost of Shingrix, you can talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you will pay. You need to talk with your insurance provider to find out the actual cost of Shingrix.

You can ask your doctor or insurance provider questions.

  • Will I have copays for Shingrix two times?
  • Is there another vaccine that is similar to Shingrix?
  • “Is it cheaper to get my Shingrix vaccine at the doctor’s office or the pharmacy?”
  • Is Shingrix worth it if I have already had Zostavax?

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.