Rite Aid commences national shingles vaccination, education campaign

CAMP HILL, Pa. Rite Aid on Wednesday announced the launch of a national shingles vaccination and education campaign on the nerve disease that impacts 1 million adults annually, half of them over the age of 60. Rite Aid is launching the nationwide campaign after conducting several regional clinics last year and encountering high demand from patients and healthcare providers, the retailer reported.

Rite Aid is offering the shingles vaccine at more than 1,200 Rite Aid pharmacies in 31 states and the District of Columbia. Patients can log on to www.riteaid.com/shingles to find the most convenient location and call the pharmacy to check if appointments are necessary.

Nearly all insurance plans including Medicare Part D will cover at least some of the cost, which varies by insurance coverage.

Shingles is caused by the same virus (varicella-zoster) that causes chickenpox, a common but rarely dangerous childhood disease. Almost 1-in-3 Americans will suffer a shingles outbreak in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.