Why is there so little info (and emphasis) on the Shingles vaccine?

I did the same thing you did - I got the vaccine, saying I'll pay for it! Then, my insurance company paid and that was when the vaccine was new. By the way, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) should pay for the vaccine. See: http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11109.pdf

Shingles can be terribly painful as you see with your mother. I didn't hesitate a bit, and that was five years ago. I haven't read anything negative about it, and I think this doctor needs to update her information on this vaccine.
Carol

There may not be much information if it is not covered by insurance and for myself I am not apt to get any medication that is new I would rather wait until a med has been around for a while and when I has singles I caught it very early and was treated easily any rash that hurts rather than itching could be singles.

I was recommended to participate in a shingles study for healthy adults 50+ about a year ago. After sitting through an hour presentation and explanation about shingles and the study I found out 2 things. First, anyone who's ever had chickenpox has the possibility of getting shingles, and secondly they were going to infect me with shingles to vaccinate me. I point blank asked them if it was the flu type of vaccination where the virus is dead, they said no but it was almost dead. I then asked them if there was a chance of getting shingles from the vaccine, they said yes. I'm gonna let this vaccine be out there for many more years, then look at the data. It used to be wise to expose our kids to chickenpox when they were young, but not anymore. My son was the first generation in our family to be inoculated for chickenpox. He will never have to go through the pain of shingles.

I have a female friend, 95, who has had shingles in the past. I believe she should have the vaccine. Her son says if she does she will probably get it again and thinks she shouldn't get shot. How can we determine what to do?Also, any opinions on the pertussis vaccine?

Why is there so little information about, and emphasis on, the shingles vaccine? When I asked my doctor about it, she said that it’s expensive, most insurance companies don’t pay for it, and Medicare doesn’t cover it. I then asked her if it cost more than $1,000. She said, "No, $200." I said, "I want the shot!" So I prepaid the $200 and received the immunization, then my insurance paid. If I had known about this vaccine, I would have had it given to my mother who is now suffering terribly from shingles. I’m at a loss to explain this doctor’s attitude, but to be fair to her I just don’t hear much about the vaccine. What gives?