TRICARE Shingles Vaccine

[ChiefJohn]

Quote:

Shingles Vaccine Available to TRICARE Beneficiaries Age 60 and Older November 13, 2007 No. 07-89 FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Following a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation on October 19, 2007, TRICARE now covers Zostavax, the vaccine designed to prevent shingles for beneficiaries 60 and older. Shingles is a painful viral disease that affects more than one million Americans every year. More than half of those cases happen in people age 60 or older. The CDC recommends a single dose of shingles vaccine for everyone age 60 and older. In a shingles prevention study done by the Veterans Administration Cooperative Trial, run by Dr. Michael Oxman out of the University of California, San Diego, Zostavax was more than 50 percent effective in reducing the incidence of shingles and more than 60 percent effective in reducing some of its associated symptoms. Even in people who suffer from the disease, most of those who were vaccinated experienced less pain. "Offering this vaccine to our beneficiaries is further evidence of TRICARE's commitment to provide first-rate health care to Uniformed Service members and their families,"� said Army Major General Elder Granger, Deputy Director, TRICARE Management Activity. "We cover all immunizations recommended by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and formally endorsed and adopted by the CDC."� Beneficiaries who receive the shingles vaccine after October 19, 2007, must have vaccinations administered in a provider's office. Zostavax is covered under the TRICARE medical benefit and is not reimbursable under the pharmacy benefit. Beneficiaries with coverage or claims questions should contact the TRICARE regional claims processor found on their beneficiary explanation of benefits (EOB) notice, or if living overseas contact the local TRICARE Service Center or the TRICARE Area Office for the area in which they live. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox in children. It remains in the body for decades, sleeping in nerve cells along the spinal column. A shingles rash usually appears on one side of the face or body and lasts between two and four weeks. It is painful and can be accompanied by fever, headache, chills and upset stomach. For more information on shingles and the vaccine you may visit the CDC Web site, Shingles CDC Information

[ChiefJohn]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Shingles Vaccine Available to TRICARE Beneficiaries Age 60 and Older

November 13, 2007
No. 07-89

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Following a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation on October 19, 2007, TRICARE now covers Zostavax, the vaccine designed to prevent shingles for beneficiaries 60 and older.

Shingles is a painful viral disease that affects more than one million Americans every year. More than half of those cases happen in people age 60 or older. The CDC recommends a single dose of shingles vaccine for everyone age 60 and older.

In a shingles prevention study done by the Veterans Administration Cooperative Trial, run by Dr. Michael Oxman out of the University of California, San Diego, Zostavax was more than 50 percent effective in reducing the incidence of shingles and more than 60 percent effective in reducing some of its associated symptoms. Even in people who suffer from the disease, most of those who were vaccinated experienced less pain.

"Offering this vaccine to our beneficiaries is further evidence of TRICARE's commitment to provide first-rate health care to Uniformed Service members and their families,"� said Army Major General Elder Granger, Deputy Director, TRICARE Management Activity. "We cover all immunizations recommended by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and formally endorsed and adopted by the CDC."�

Beneficiaries who receive the shingles vaccine after October 19, 2007, must have vaccinations administered in a provider's office. Zostavax is covered under the TRICARE medical benefit and is not reimbursable under the pharmacy benefit. Beneficiaries with coverage or claims questions should contact the TRICARE regional claims processor found on their beneficiary explanation of benefits (EOB) notice, or if living overseas contact the local TRICARE Service Center or the TRICARE Area Office for the area in which they live.

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox in children. It remains in the body for decades, sleeping in nerve cells along the spinal column. A shingles rash usually appears on one side of the face or body and lasts between two and four weeks. It is painful and can be accompanied by fever, headache, chills and upset stomach.

For more information on shingles and the vaccine you may visit the CDC Web site, Shingles CDC Information
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Ray,IN]

Guess it's too late for me. Had chickenpox at 5, had shingles at 55. The next best thing for me is to avoid stress, which triggers shingles. Thus my motto: Remain laid-back and relaxed, camping is great!

[TandW]

Ray, I had juvenile chickenpox and then shingles attacked over my right eye as I was battling my first and greatest exacerbation from COPD and occupational bronchitis at the age of 52. It was recognized right off, so there was no nerve damage. I was advised that it can and will probably recur in the future. Good luck, all!!