Are shingles vaccines free for people in the French health system?
A new vaccine was recommended by health authorities last year
The rules were updated in December
Marina Demidiuk/Shutterstock
Reader Question: Is it true that state health insurance now refunds vaccines against shingles?
A new, more effective vaccine against shingles (zona) has been recommended by France’s health authorities since spring 2024.
This vaccine, called Shingrix, is available in a number of other countries, and replaces a previous less effective vaccine named Zostavax.
Read more: New vaccine recommended against shingles in France
However, it was only in December 2024 that the French government officially included Shingrix as part of its vaccination programme calendar.
The vaccine is now recommended to people over the age of 65, as well as people aged 18+ who are immunocompromised.
The vaccine is not fully state reimbursed, but people belonging to these groups can now have the vaccine state-reimbursed at 65%, provided they are covered by the French health system.
Read more: Moving to France: how does a retiree apply for a health card?
The remaining 35% should in most cases be covered by people’s top-up mutuelle health insurance policies.
The vaccine is, however, expensive, costing around €187 per dose, of which state healthcare will reimburse €122.
The vaccine is given in two doses, two months apart.
A waiting period of one year must take place between the last shingles infection (or a previous vaccination with the Zostavax vaccine).
Prior to December 2024, the Shingrix vaccine could only be given at state hospitals or private clinics, but not at GPs’s practices or pharmacies.
This specific vaccine can now be prescribed and given by doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.
