Shingles Vaccine Cost-Effectiveness
- After reviewing the information in Chapter 12 on infectious diseases and reviewing the CDC’s Vaccines and Preventable Diseases web page, focus on and review information on vaccine-preventable diseases, such as shingles.
- Analyze and evaluate the cost effectiveness of vaccinating against the vaccine-preventable disease you chose to review. Suggest at least two recommendations to improve cost effectiveness.
- Provide a rationale for your recommendations.
- Be sure to respond to at least one of your classmates’ posts.
Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), affects approximately one in three people in the United States during their lifetime, with incidence increasing with age. The recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, Shingrix) is recommended by the CDC for adults aged 50 years and older, as well as those 19 and older with weakened immune systems. Shingrix is administered in a two-dose series, offering over 90% efficacy in preventing shingles and its complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), in adults with healthy immune systems.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Vaccination against shingles is considered a cost-effective public health intervention, though its economic value varies by age group and health status. Key points from available data include:
Check out our Essay writing services
Shingles Vaccine Cost-Effectiveness
Direct and Indirect Costs of Shingles:
Shingles imposes a significant economic burden, with an estimated annual cost of $26.5 billion for vaccine-preventable diseases among adults aged 50 and older in the U.S., of which shingles accounts for approximately 20% among those 65 and older. This includes direct medical costs (e.g., treatment for shingles and PHN) and indirect costs (e.g., lost productivity).
The cost of treating a single case of shingles or its complications can be substantial. For example, antiviral therapy and management of PHN can lead to high medical expenses, while indirect costs, such as missed work, further amplify the economic impact.</p>
Vaccine Costs and Coverage:
Shingrix costs approximately $149 per dose in the private sector, with a two-dose series totaling around $298. Most insured adults pay less than $5 per dose after the Inflation Reduction Act.
The Act eliminated cost-sharing for Part D vaccines in 2023.
A 2018 study found Shingrix reimbursements averaged $149 from private insurance.
This exceeded the CDC’s reported private sector price, showing provider feasibility.
Yet vaccination coverage was only 31.8% for adults aged 60+ in 2014.
Barriers include cost, access issues, and providers hesitant about upfront vaccine costs
