Chloe Ramirez
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which can reactivate years later and cause shingles. While there is no specific chickenpox vaccine, the Shingrix vaccine can help prevent future occurrences of shingles and, by extension, chickenpox. As of 2023, vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are covered by Medicaid with no copays or deductibles. This includes vaccines for influenza, COVID-19, shingles, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). However, it is important to note that vaccine coverage may vary by state and specific plan. While some sources indicate that most health insurance plans cover recommended vaccines for children and adults at low or no cost, others suggest that certain vaccines, like the chickenpox vaccine, may incur charges depending on the insurance provider and the state of residence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chickenpox vaccine price | $219 |
| Chickenpox vaccine price for underinsured | Free or $26 administration fee |
| SC Medicaid coverage for chickenpox vaccine | May be covered for children; adults may be covered from October 1, 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
Chickenpox vaccine cost in South Carolina
The chickenpox vaccine is recommended for adults with weakened immune systems and no documented history of chickenpox disease, chickenpox vaccination, or shingles. While I could not find specific information on the cost of the chickenpox vaccine in South Carolina, the vaccine is typically covered by insurance with little to no cost to the patient.
Medicaid covers all recommended vaccines for children and some vaccines for adults. Beginning October 1, 2023, most adults with Medicaid coverage will be guaranteed coverage of all vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice at no cost to them. Military insurance, TRICARE, covers all recommended vaccines for people currently serving in the military and their dependents. Medicare Part B covers many vaccines at little to no cost, although costs may vary depending on how you get your coverage, the vaccine, and whether the doctor you see accepts Medicare.
If you do not have health insurance, you may still be able to get vaccinated for free or at a low cost. Your state health department can provide information on where to find free and low-cost vaccines, including community centers, schools, and religious centers. Additionally, some pharmaceutical companies provide vaccines to eligible adults who cannot afford them. For example, GlaxoSmithKline offers the shingles vaccine Shingrix to eligible adults.
The cost of vaccines can vary, but generally range from $58 for the Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib) vaccine to $419 for the Japanese Encephalitis (Ixiaro) vaccine. The chickenpox vaccine Varivax is priced at $219 for pediatric patients. It is important to note that these prices may not be indicative of the cost in South Carolina and may not include administration fees.
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Medicaid coverage for children's vaccines
Medicaid covers all recommended vaccines for children, and some vaccines for adults. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program helps to ensure that all children have a better chance of getting their recommended vaccines. Under the VFC program, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) purchases vaccines at a discount and distributes them to grantees, such as state health departments and local and territorial public health agencies. These grantees then distribute the vaccines free of charge to VFC providers, such as private physicians' offices and public health clinics. For children enrolled in Medicaid, the program pays the vaccine administration fee. Children who are uninsured, underinsured, enrolled in or eligible for Medicaid, American Indian or Alaska Native, or whose health insurance covers only selected vaccines, are eligible for the VFC program.
The VFC program provides vaccines to children whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford them. Doctors in the VFC program cannot charge for the vaccine, although they may charge fees for the office visit or to administer the vaccine. If a child has Medicaid coverage, then Medicaid will pay for the office visit. Children aged 18 years and younger can get vaccines for free or at a lower cost.
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will cover all vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice for adults from October 1, 2023, at no cost to them.
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Adult vaccine coverage under Medicaid
As of October 1, 2023, most adults with Medicaid coverage will be guaranteed coverage of all vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice at no cost to them. This includes the COVID-19 vaccine, which is covered by Medicaid, as well as any other vaccines recommended by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
Medicaid covers all recommended vaccines for children and some vaccines for adults. The specific vaccines covered for adults can vary by state and may depend on whether the state has expanded its Medicaid program. For example, Shingrix, a shingles vaccine, is likely covered by Medicaid for patients 50 years and older in states that have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
It's important to note that there may be a copay or fee for getting vaccinated under Medicaid, depending on the state and the doctor providing the vaccination. Military personnel and their dependents are eligible for TRICARE, which covers vaccines according to the CDC's recommended schedule.
If you are unsure about vaccine coverage under Medicaid in your state, it is recommended to contact your state Medicaid office or your healthcare provider for more specific information.
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Availability of free vaccines in South Carolina
In South Carolina, Medicaid covers all recommended vaccines for children and some vaccines for adults. There may or may not be a copay or fee, depending on the doctor administering the vaccine. Beginning October 1, 2023, most adults with Medicaid coverage will be guaranteed coverage of all vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice at no cost to them.
In addition to Medicaid, there are other ways to obtain free or low-cost vaccines in South Carolina. The state health department can provide information on where to go for free or low-cost vaccines, including community centers, schools, and religious centers. Pharmacies and doctors' offices also usually offer vaccines, and they are typically covered by insurance.
Walgreens, for example, offers free COVID-19 vaccines for eligible adults. However, as of August 2025, Walgreens requires prescriptions for COVID-19 vaccines in South Carolina.
Overall, the availability of free vaccines in South Carolina depends on various factors, including insurance coverage, state health department resources, and the specific vaccine in question.
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Shingles vaccine and its relation to chickenpox
Chickenpox and shingles are closely related because they are caused by the same virus, the varicella-zoster virus. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body, typically in nerve cells in the dorsal root ganglia near the spinal cord. It can reactivate years later and cause shingles, also known as herpes zoster. This reactivation of the virus, or herpes zoster, occurs when it becomes active after being dormant, often many decades after the initial chickenpox infection.
Shingles is characterised by a painful skin rash that usually appears on one side of the body and typically scabbs over within a few days, resolving within a couple of weeks. The rash is painful because the virus damages the nerves where it was dormant. Shingles can also cause other symptoms, including fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, shivering, stomach pain, and nausea. These side effects are usually mild and self-limiting, but they can be more severe in younger individuals.
The shingles vaccine, Shingrix, is highly effective in preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia in adults aged 50 and older with healthy immune systems. It is recommended for individuals in this age group, as immunity wanes with age, and the risk of developing shingles increases. Shingrix is a recombinant zoster (shingles) vaccine administered as a two-dose series, with doses separated by two to six months. It is important to note that, as of 2023, individuals with Medicare Part D coverage will incur no out-of-pocket expenses for the Shingrix vaccine. However, Medicaid coverage for the vaccine may vary, and it is advisable to contact your insurer to determine specific coverage details.
It is worth noting that the live shingles vaccine, Zostavax, previously used in adults over 60, is no longer available in the United States as of 2020. The chickenpox vaccine, on the other hand, has been available since 1995 and has contributed significantly to the decline in chickenpox cases, particularly in children under 10, who are typically affected by the disease. The vaccine provides immunity against chickenpox and prevents the virus from becoming dormant in the body, thereby reducing the risk of developing shingles later in life.
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Frequently asked questions
Medicaid covers all recommended vaccines for children and some vaccines for adults. Since 2023, vaccines have been free under Medicare and Medicaid with no copays or deductibles. Chickenpox and shingles are related, caused by the same virus, and there is a shingles vaccine called Shingrix. It is not clear whether SC Medicaid covers the chickenpox vaccine, but it likely covers Shingrix.
The chickenpox vaccine is a vaccination against the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox.
Common symptoms of chickenpox include a rash, mild or moderate pain, redness and swelling, tiredness, muscle pain, headache, shivering, fever, stomach pain, and nausea.
The chickenpox vaccine costs $219 for the shot and $26 for the administration fee. However, it may be available at low or no cost if you qualify.
You can get the chickenpox vaccine at your doctor's office, pharmacies, community centres, schools, and religious centres.
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