South Carolina Medicare Spent $78 Million on Two Vaccines in 2023. Get Both.

Shingrix and Arexvy are among South Carolina's most-used Medicare vaccines. Both are free to you under Part D. Both are worth getting.

Shingrix: what it prevents

Shingrix is the CDC-recommended shingles vaccine for adults 50 and older. It's about 90% effective at preventing shingles, a painful condition caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus that can lead to nerve pain lasting months or years. SC Medicare paid $215 per Shingrix dose for 179,122 administrations in 2023. Your out-of-pocket cost is zero.

Arexvy: the RSV vaccine

Arexvy is the first FDA-approved RSV vaccine for adults 60 and older, approved in 2023. RSV causes tens of thousands of older-adult hospitalizations each year in the U.S. For South Carolinians with COPD, heart disease, or diabetes, RSV infection can be severe. SC Medicare paid $317 per Arexvy administration for 123,406 doses in 2023. Your out-of-pocket cost is zero.

How to get vaccinated

Go to any major pharmacy, show your Medicare card, and ask for Shingrix (if 50+) or Arexvy (if 60+). No doctor's visit required. No copay. Shingrix is two doses spaced two to six months apart, both available at the same pharmacy. Arexvy is a single dose.

Why this article is different

These vaccines are free to you, effective at preventing painful and potentially dangerous illnesses, and available at most pharmacies today. If you haven't gotten them, the main barrier is just knowing to ask.

Source: CMS Medicare Part D Prescribers by Geography and Drug, 2023. South Carolina state-level data.