Starting December 14, the Shingrix shingles vaccine will be partially covered by health insurance. It is one of the vaccinations that the pharmacist can prescribe and administer. Reminder of recommendations and instructions for use.
Included in the vaccination schedule since spring 2024 and replacing Zostavax, Shingrix, a vaccine against shingles, has just obtained its reimbursement, according to a decree published in the “Official Journal” of December 10. As of December 14, Shingrix will be covered by health insurance at 65%. Its price: 188.37 euros including tax (without dispensing fees). He already benefited from 100% exceptional coverage in certain health establishments.
Shingrix is recommended in immunocompetent adults aged 65 and over and, this is new for anti-zoster vaccination, in people aged 18 and over who are immunocompromised (primary or acquired immune deficiency, immunosuppressive treatments) in whom vaccination with Zostavax, a live attenuated vaccine, was contraindicated. The vaccination schedule is based on two doses spaced two months apart (M0, M2). The need for a booster dose after this primary vaccination has not been established to date. The second dose can be administered between 2 and 6 months after the first dose if flexibility in the vaccination schedule is necessary, but it will be necessary to restart the vaccination series if the six-month period is exceeded.
People previously vaccinated with Zostavax are also affected. Indeed, vaccination with Shingrix is also recommended in immunocompetent people aged 65 and over who have had a history of shingles or vaccination with the Zostavax vaccine, with a complete two-dose schedule, respecting a delay of at least one year before the administration of the first dose.
In breastfeeding women, the administration of Shingrix vaccine should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and as part of a medical decision shared with the healthcare team.
This vaccine can be prescribed and administered by a trained pharmacist who has declared his vaccination activity to the Order, and now administered by a trained preparer under the supervision of a pharmacist.
Shingrix must be reconstituted before administration (directions for use here). After reconstitution, the vaccine should be used promptly, within 6 hours, and stored in a refrigerator (between 2°C and 8°C).
The most commonly reported side effects are pain at the injection site, myalgia, fatigue and headache. These effects were short-lived.
