MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu Inc. has begun offering vaccinations for shingles at its more than 800 food and drug combination stores nationwide.

The supermarket retailer and wholesaler said Wednesday that the Zostavax vaccine for shingles will be available at its dozen pharmacy banners, which include Acme/Sav-on, Albertsons/Osco, Albertsons/Sav-on, Cub Pharmacy, Farm Fresh Pharmacy, Jewel-Osco Pharmacy, Shaw’s/Osco Pharmacy, Shop’n Save Pharmacy, Shop’n Save Osco, Shoppers Pharmacy and StarMarket/Osco Pharmacy.

"Shingles can be a debilitating condition for many adults with the risk increasing as they get older," Anthony Provenzano, pharmacy director of clinical programs at Supervalu, said in a statement. "By getting the shingles vaccine from one of our specially trained and certified immunizing pharmacists, adults can reduce their chances of developing shingles or lessen the severity of pain and complications resulting from the illness."

The cost of the shingles vaccination will vary based on a person’s insurance coverage, but all Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cover the shingles vaccine being administered by Supervalu’s pharmacies, the company said, adding that patients will incur a co-pay that varies by plan.

Each year, at least 1 million Americans develop the painful skin rash shingles (herpes zoster), yet fewer than 10% of people most at risk of developing it — adults age 60 and older — have received the vaccine, Supervalu reported. The company noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a single, one-time dose of the shingles vaccine for adults 60 and older.

Supervalu pharmacies will provide a vaccination information statement (VIS) to people receiving the shingles vaccine, and their primary care physician is notified in writing that they have been immunized. The company added that its pharmacists are prepared to administer the vaccine any day during business hours as well as help customers with questions regarding insurance and other health issues.

Provenzano commented, "Our neighborhood pharmacies go beyond just filling prescriptions to offer a wide variety of personalized services, including adult immunizations, routine health screenings and diabetes education, designed to meet the needs of today’s busy lifestyles and economic challenges in one convenient location."