Jonathan writes:
A doctor friend recommended I reach out to you with my question. I had the chicken pox as an adult in 1991. I received the Zostavax vaccine November 18, 2015. I received the Shingrix vaccine twice…on January 13, 2020 and June 20, 2020. My doctor friend told me I needed to have the two Shingrix shots within three months of one another. We read up online and it was a three to six month window. I’m about a week outside the window. Should I worry about this? Am I covered for Shingles…or do I need to schedule another round of vaccines.
Please advise,
Jonathan
Silverthorne, CO
Christine writes:
Hello Dr Griffin and Dr Racaniello:
Thanks for all you do and for being a reliable source of truthful scientific information. I’m writing because I’m very concerned about the price of Paxlovid for myself and the other seniors in my community. I’m a retired physician so I’m not a stranger to insurance coverage problems.
Are you aware that in recent months a Paxlovid prescription is costing even well insured seniors on Medicare WITH part D prescription drug plans thousands of dollars for a single 5 day course? I currently have a friend who decided to suffer through her case of acute Covid without Paxlovid because it would’ve cost her $2000.
I am in my late 60s as are most of my friends. We are in Northern California (not sure if this matters). We are all insured with Medicare, a Medicare supplemental, and part D drug coverage. I also know some people with Kaiser Medicare Advantage plans. In the last few months many of us have been prescribed Paxlovid either to have on hand for travel or for an active case of COVID disease. We have various part D Medicare prescription drug plans including Cigna, Aetna, Wellcare or Kaiser. Everyone I’ve talked to has been told it will cost at least $2000-$2500 to pick up the prescription at the pharmacy.
This seems like a disaster for higher risk seniors without limitless means seeking appropriate care. I’ve spent hours on the phone with my insurance company and the pharmacy trying to understand why Paxlovid isn’t better covered for people who need it most.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Chris
https://paxlovid.pfizerpro.com/access-resources/access
Jeff writes:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.04.25.25326460v1.full
Hello and thank you again for all you do
This article is making the rounds and I would be grateful to hear your thoughts and analysis. I find both the authors and the conclusions… a little concerning.
Stay safe
Jeff
Linnéa writes:
Hi! Long time TWIV listener from Alberta, Canada! Really appreciate your work explaining the lies about vaccines being spread by the current administration because they have spread to Canada. The Alberta Provincial Government has decided to become inspired by the RFKJr recommendations for covid vaccines and now Covid Vaccines are no longer going to be free for most people (including health care workers) as of August.
In their press release they included some quick facts to defend their decision and the first one was :
“Recently, the Federal Drug Administration in the United States stopped recommending routine COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women and healthy children.”
It’s horrifying and appreciate your work dismantling the lies more than ever right now. Not sure how to manage the situation but along with an alarming amount of measles outbreaks it’s arrived here in Alberta and isn’t going away anytime soon with our current anti science provincial government.
I’ve included screen shots and a link to the press release outlining the new policy if you would like to check it out for yourselves!
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=9347331DF6B9F-9F32-57A9-7F37179C432318BE
Healthiest Regards,
Linnéa
John writes:
Dear Dr. Daniel Griffin,
I have been listening to you and the crew since mid-2019. Love it all!
Question:
When I started college I had no vaccination records. I received a measles shot on Dec. 9th and then again on Dec. 12th from the on-site health clinic. Based on everything I have heard, this doesn’t follow any kind of recommended cadence. Since no beta cells had a chance to mature between shots, it seems like I should get another one but it has been 11 years.
Already missing Dixson. Going back to listen to all his jazz recommendations again. Would love a compiled document of all his recommendations if anyone out there has the time to spend!
Thank you for all you do and keep up the good fight!
John
P.S. – these official recommendations are still on the CDC website for now……..
Current CDC recommendation for MMR:
- Students in postsecondary educational institutions, international travelers, and household or close, personal contacts of immunocompromised persons with no evidence of immunity to measles, mumps, or rubella: complete 2-dose series at least 4 weeks apart if previously did not receive any doses of MMR or 1 dose if previously received 1 dose MMR
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/adult-notes.html#note-mmr