Shingles vaccine shortage continues to frustrate

A continuing shortage of the popular shingles vaccine Shingrix is prompting complaints from consumers and providers, and forcing some health systems to choose who gets the scarce doses that do become available.

The Shingrix vaccine became available a year and a half ago, in the fall of 2017. It's been remarkably popular ever since. It requires two injections, two to six months apart, and is recommended for people over 50.

Clinical trials have found it to be up to 90 percent effective in staving off shingles, a painful rash the federal government says affects nearly 1 in 3 adults who haven't been vaccinated.

Shingrix is definitely a public health success story, said Jennifer Heath, who works on preventable diseases with the Minnesota Department of Health.

"This vaccine is more effective than older vaccines and more people are recommended to get it and at a younger age, so we've seen a really great response of folks wanting to go out and get themselves protected against shingles," Heath said.

Heath recommends people get the shots — if they can find them.

Jim Nichols, 66, of Richfield was finally able to get his first Shingrix injection with the help of his pharmacist about a month ago.

"I've been wanting to get it for quite a while because my brother-in-law got shingles about 10 years ago and it was no fun at all," Nichols said.

He's relatively fortunate. Many people who want the vaccine are having problems finding it.

Demand for Shingrix is far outpacing supply. Manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline says it isn't advertising the product at all to avoid aggravating the shortage that's caused widespread frustration.

With supplies tight, some health providers are figuring out ways to triage patients who want the shots.

Fairview Health Services clinics and pharmacies make Shingrix available only to people who've been patients within the last two years. Even so, the vaccine is not always available at all Fairview locations, said Amanda Brummel, who overseas clinic pharmacies.

"So, there may be time as a patient that you go in [and] that clinic doesn't have it," she said.

Fairview has been monitoring how much Shingrix clinics dispense and tries to shift the vaccine to clinics where demand is heavier, Brummel said.

GlaxoSmithKline says it has ramped up production. Still, the shortage is expected to be a problem through the rest of the year.

HealthPartners is making Shingrix available on a first-come, first-served basis, said Dr. Mark Sannes, who oversees medical specialties for the health system.

Sannes said he's heard some complaints from frustrated patients.

"I had a gentleman in my clinic just in the last week where in the course of the day we had a limited supply; gave a dose in the morning, and when I went to give him a dose in the afternoon, we had run out," Sannes said.

State health officials say people who can't get Shingrix at their clinic or pharmacy should call around to see if other providers have it. But they say make sure to check your insurance to confirm the vaccine will be covered the way you expect it to be.

Nichols, the Richfield resident whose pharmacist gave him Shingrix a month ago, will be due for the other shot in about month. He's confident the pharmacy will have it when he needs it.

"They said they were going to call me, and she repeatedly told me that they would make sure that I got my second shot. So, we'll see."