Shingrix

Introduction

Written by Dedra Weiss, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on March 9, 2023

Shingrix is a brand-name vaccine that’s prescribed to help prevent shingles in adults. It’s not available in a biosimilar version. The cost of Shingrix with and without insurance can depend on several factors and may be lowered by using a coupon.

Shingrix comes as a liquid suspension (mixture) that’s injected into the muscle. It’s given by your doctor or another healthcare professional.

Read on to learn about Shingrix and its cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about Shingrix, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Cost of Shingrix

Like other medications, the cost of Shingrix can vary. Certain things may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the cost to visit a healthcare professional to receive doses of Shingrix

To find out how much Shingrix costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for Shingrix” section.

Coupons for Shingrix

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Shingrix. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Common questions about Shingrix and cost

Here are some common questions about Shingrix and their answers. 

Is Shingrix covered by Medicare?

Shingrix is likely covered by Medicare Part D at a retail pharmacy. Usually, Medicare covers vaccines used to help prevent certain illnesses. Shingrix is used to help prevent shingles. So, if you’re eligible for Medicare, Shingrix may be covered.

According to the drugmaker, Medicare Part D enrollees may not have to pay out-of-pocket costs for receiving their Shingrix dose at a retail pharmacy. But be sure to talk with your Medicare representative or your pharmacist to check whether Shingrix is covered. They’ll help determine whether there’s a cost for you.

If you’d like to receive Shingrix at your doctor’s office, ask your doctor whether they can bill Medicare Part D for the vaccine. They can tell you whether Shingrix is covered at their office.

How much does Shingrix cost without insurance?

Shingrix’s cost without insurance is likely higher than the cost with insurance. This is because prescription drugs usually cost more without insurance. The cost of Shingrix can also vary depending on the pharmacy you use.

Talk with your pharmacist about the exact cost of Shingrix without insurance. They may also be able to provide you with some cost-saving resources or programs.

If you don’t have insurance, talk with your pharmacist. They can provide you with more information about how to pay for your vaccine. You can also view the “Coupons for Shingrix” section.

Is there a coupon available for Shingrix?

Yes. Optum Perks provides coupons for Shingrix. For more information, see the “Coupons for Shingrix” section.

If you have questions about coupons for Shingrix, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can provide you with information about savings options.

Why are costs different for biologic drugs vs. biosimilar drugs?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a biologic drug can sell their drug for up to 12 years. When the patent for a biologic drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell biosimilar versions. A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug).

This competition may help keep the costs of biosimilar medications lower. Also, biosimilar medications are very similar to biologic drugs. So, they don’t require the same testing, which may be costly.

Ask your doctor if you’d like to know more about the cost difference between biologic and biosimilar drugs.

Insurance and other considerations for Shingrix

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription medications:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of Shingrix. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Shingrix. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you receive it without this, you may have to pay the full cost for the drug.
• Insurance coverage. If you have prescription drug insurance, the price of Shingrix may be billed through your medical coverage instead of your prescription drug coverage. That’s because Shingrix doses are given by a doctor or another healthcare professional. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan and whether you receive the doses at your doctor’s clinic or a hospital. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Brand-names vs. biosimilars

Shingrix is a brand-name medication. It’s not available in a biosimilar version.

Shingrix is a recombinant vaccine that contains parts of the shingles virus.

How biosimilars and generics compare

A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug). A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.

Biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name medications. Like generics, biosimilars are thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

What to ask about Shingrix

This article provides cost information related to Shingrix and offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for Shingrix.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They can provide more information. You can also reach out to your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Since Shingrix requires two doses, will I have to pay for each dose?
• If I receive Shingrix at a doctor’s office, will I also have an office visit cost?
• Is there another vaccine to help prevent shingles that costs less?

Resources

• Cost & Coverage. (n.d.). https://www.shingrix.com/get-shingrix/shingles-vaccine-cost-coverage
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Purple Book: Database of licensed biological products. https://purplebooksearch.fda.gov
• Shingrix (zoster vaccine recombinant, adjuvanted), suspension for intramuscular injection. (2021). https://www.fda.gov/media/108597/download

Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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.