Paying for the Shingles Vaccine: How to Apply for a Vaccine Assistance Program

If cost is an obstacle to getting shingles vaccine, patient assistance programs may be able to help you.

These programs are created by the vaccine manufacturer. They ensure that as many people can get the vaccines as possible, according to Stella Safo, MD, Primary Care Physician at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

How do you apply for a vaccine assistance program?

Not all insurance plans cover the shingles vaccine. Luckily, there are vaccine assistance programs from the Shingrix manufacturer that may help people afford the shot.

The program will evaluate your eligibility, including factors, such as:

• Monthly household income

• Age

• Location

If you do qualify, the manufacturer will cover part or all of the cost of the shingles vaccine. 

Will you qualify for shingles vaccine assistance?

Many people assume that they won’t be eligible for financial assistance for Shingrix, so they don’t even try — but you should, because these programs have substantial resources, according to Safo.

“We always encourage people to try these vaccine assistance programs,” she says. “Most of them are deeply under-utilized.”

In fact, the most difficult part of the vaccine assistance programs is often the application process. 

“For the most part, most individuals are eligible and you will [likely] be approved to get the vaccine,” says Safo.

You can visit GSKforyou.com in order to learn more about assistance for the shingles vaccine.

Should you talk to your doctor about paying for the shingles vaccine?

If you do anticipate having trouble affording the shingles vaccine, talk to your doctor and don’t be embarrassed. Your care team wants you to be healthy and to remove any barriers to you receiving the healthcare that you need. They may also have support services at their offices that can help you apply for the vaccine assistance program.

“It’s really worth telling your doctor and it’s really worth having your doctor help you to get the vaccine,” Safo says.

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Written by:

Marisa Taylor Karas

Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.

Reviewed by:

Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP

Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician. Prior to practicing medicine, she worked as a management consultant.

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