Posted on 02/06/2007 4:27:47 AM PST by finnsheep
Is anyone else having trouble getting the new vaccination against shingles (Zostavax)? I started asking my doctor about it last fall when the CDC recommended it for most adults over age 60.
The vaccination is expensive - - $150 to $200, but is good for several years. My pharmacy can get order one dose, but my doctor won't give me a prescription to bring to the pharmacy, where I guess I would pick up the vaccine - keep it frozen - - and then bring it to the doctor's office to get the injection.
I am willing to pay for the vaccine myself if the insurance doesn't.
Shingles can affect anyone who has ever had chicken pox. It can cause blindness, hearing loss and neurological pain that lasts long after the three to five week shingles attack. The only way to treat the neurological pain is with anti-depressants and anti-seizure drugs. Call me crazy, but for $200, I'd just as soon avoid shingles, but can't get the vaccination.
didnt know a vaccine existed....I have gotten shingles more than once.....not a nice thing at all....
Ok, your're crazy.
I cannot imagine that any doctor would allow you to keep a vaccine of any kind in your freezer and then hand it over to him for your use.
Well if you really want it, and you are over 60 (assuming that is really the only real requirement), then find a different doctor.
"Shingles vaccine available, but not easily"
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/living/health/16505078.htm?source=rss&channel=kentucky_health
Is this sumpin like 'chit on a shingle'?
Recommended for all over 60 or maybe 60 to 70.
Maybe you're not a good candidate for the vaccine? What did your doc say about why he/she won't write the scrip? Is it the storage issue or something else? If your doc doesn't have a good answer, maybe you should get a second opinion.
My son just picked up some Hep A & B vaccine at Walmart and took it to the doctor for the injection. SOP, I think.
I have never laid my hands on any vaccine. That has always been handled by the doctors office.
My FIL has shingles - after seeing what he goes through, I'd say the vaccine is definitely worth the price.
"..but my doctor won't give me a prescription to bring to the pharmacy"
cures get into doctors pockets
A Doctors job is not to provide medication *on demand*. I suppose that if you insist on having this medication, despite his recommendation not to, you will just have to shop Doctors until you find one that is willing to take the risk.
At the age of 90, Dr. Joe continues to "practice" medicine (we now have a younger doc) but he can no longer do it the old fashion way. Last year the FBI came to interview him because they thought somebody had stolen his idenity and was practicing under his name.
Why won't your doctor give you the prescription? He gave you a reason. What was it?
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