If you’ve ever had shingles – or watched someone you care about go through it – you already know it’s not something to take lightly. The nerve pain can be severe, last for months, and in some cases become permanent. The good news is that there’s a highly effective vaccine, Shingrix, that most adults over 50 can access in BC. The less good news is that BC remains one of the few provinces that doesn’t publicly fund it.
Here’s what you need to know about the shingles vaccine in BC, including what it costs, who pays, and why your pharmacist is now the most convenient place to start.
At Davies Pharmacy, our team provides immunizations and pharmacy services to the North Shore community, including the Shingrix vaccine administered and prescribed by our pharmacists.
What Is Shingles and Why Does the Vaccine Matter?
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in nerve tissue and can reactivate decades later as shingles, causing a painful blistering rash, burning or stabbing nerve pain, and sometimes longer-term complications including postherpetic neuralgia, a form of chronic nerve pain that can persist for months or years after the rash clears.
About one in three Canadians will develop shingles in their lifetime, and risk increases with age as immune function naturally declines.
Shingrix is the only shingles vaccine currently available in Canada. It is not a live virus vaccine, so it cannot cause shingles or chickenpox. Shingrix is approximately 97% effective in adults aged 50 to 69, and 91% effective for those 70 and older, according to HealthLink BC. That level of protection is unusually high for a vaccine against a condition this common.
Who Should Get the Shingles Vaccine in BC?
Shingrix is recommended for:
- Adults 50 years of age and older
- Adults 18 and older with a weakened immune system due to a medical condition or medication
- People who have already had shingles, since it can recur
- People who previously received the older live-virus shingles vaccine (Zostavax), which is no longer available in Canada
The vaccine is given in two doses, two to six months apart. Protection begins after the first dose and strengthens with the second. The vaccine is estimated to last approximately 12 years.
How Much Does the Shingles Vaccine Cost in BC?
This is where BC’s approach differs from several other provinces. Unlike Ontario, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island, which fund Shingrix for at least some residents, BC does not publicly fund the shingles vaccine for the general population.
That means most adults in BC pay out of pocket. Shingrix costs about $160 per dose, and some pharmacies charge more. Total out-of-pocket cost for both doses can range from roughly $320 to $400 or more depending on where you go.
A few exceptions apply:
Low-income BC residents: Since October 2022, provincial PharmaCare for low-income people covers the $11.41 pharmacy dispensing fee for vaccines that are not publicly funded, including Shingrix. The vaccine itself is still an out-of-pocket cost, but the administration fee is covered.
First Nations adults 60 and older: Eligible Indigenous people 60 years of age and older can receive the shingles vaccine at no cost with funding provided by the First Nations Health Authority through BC PharmaCare’s First Nations Health Benefits plan.
Extended health benefits: Some employer insurance plans cover Shingrix. It’s worth calling the number on the back of your benefits card and asking specifically about shingles vaccine coverage before your appointment.
What’s Changed: BC Pharmacists Can Now Prescribe for Shingles
This is a meaningful recent development for North Shore residents. BC pharmacists are now authorized not only to administer the Shingrix vaccine, but also to prescribe antiviral treatment for active shingles infections.
That means if you develop shingles, your pharmacist can assess your symptoms and prescribe the antiviral medications that reduce severity and duration – without requiring a separate visit to a doctor. Given that antiviral treatment is most effective when started within 72 hours of the rash appearing, being able to walk into a pharmacy and get assessed and treated the same day is a significant improvement in access.
Davies Pharmacy offers both services. If you want the vaccine to prevent shingles, we can administer it. If you’re experiencing symptoms and suspect shingles, our pharmacists can assess and prescribe treatment directly.
Is There a Best Time of Year to Get It?
Unlike the flu shot, Shingrix is not a seasonal vaccine. You can receive it at any time of year. That said, getting both doses completed before you’re in a period of immune stress – surgery, chemotherapy, or significant illness – is advisable. If you’re planning any of those, speak with your pharmacist about timing.
Shingrix can be given at the same visit as the flu shot and most other vaccines, which makes it convenient to combine with your annual fall vaccinations if you prefer.
Getting the Shingles Vaccine on the North Shore
Davies Pharmacy has been part of the North Shore community since 1974. Our pharmacists are certified to both administer and prescribe, which means you can get your Shingrix vaccine, arrange your second dose schedule, and get treatment for active shingles all in one place.
Book an appointment to get started, or contact us if you have questions about cost, timing, or whether Shingrix is right for your situation.
Don’t Wait for the Province to Catch Up
The debate over public funding for the shingles vaccine in BC is ongoing, and advocates have made a strong case that funding Shingrix would save the healthcare system money over time. Until that changes, the cost falls to you – but the protection is real, and for most people, it’s worth it.
If you’ve been putting off the shingles vaccine because of the cost or simply haven’t got around to it, now is a good time to ask the questions and get it done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the shingles vaccine free in BC?
For most BC residents, no. Shingrix is not publicly funded in BC, meaning the cost of roughly $160 per dose is an out-of-pocket expense for most adults. Low-income residents may have the pharmacy dispensing fee covered through PharmaCare, and eligible First Nations adults 60 and older can receive it free through the First Nations Health Authority. Some employer extended health plans also cover it.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to get Shingrix in BC?
No. BC pharmacists are authorized to administer the Shingrix vaccine without a referral. You can book directly at Davies Pharmacy without needing to see your family doctor first.
How many doses of Shingrix do I need?
Shingrix is a two-dose vaccine. The second dose is given two to six months after the first. Both doses are needed for full protection.
Can I get the shingles vaccine if I’ve already had shingles?
Yes. Shingles can recur, and the vaccine is recommended even for people who have previously had shingles. It’s generally advised to wait until the active outbreak has fully resolved before getting vaccinated.
Can BC pharmacists treat shingles as well as prevent it?
Yes. BC pharmacists can now prescribe antiviral treatment for active shingles infections, not just administer the preventive vaccine. If you develop shingles symptoms, seeing a pharmacist promptly – ideally within 72 hours of the rash appearing – can significantly reduce the severity and duration of the episode.