I'm confused about which vaccines Medicare covers. Can you explain which ones are free?

Question

Diana Garner · Accepted Answer

Medicare Part B covers vaccines for the Flu, COVID, Pneumonia, and Hepatitis B. Part B also covers vaccines if you’re exposed to a harmful virus or bacteria by accident, such as a tetanus shot or rabies shot

Part D (prescription drug) plans cover vaccines for RSV, Shingles, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis/whooping cough), and vaccines that are "reasonable and necessary" to prevent illness and are not covered by Part B. Part D may also cover vaccines required to travel internationally.

Andrew Zurbuch, MBA · Answer

Medicare Part D covers most vaccines at no cost for Medicare Beneficiaries. Medicare Part D covers all adult vaccines recommended by the Centers Disease Control's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Please contact your Part D Policy or Medicare Advantage Policy. For Medicare Beneficiaries covers vaccines that prevent shingles, whooping cough, tetanus, respiratory syncytial virus, COVID-19 vaccine and more. 

Source: www.medicare.gov.

Plans are insured or covered by a Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO and PFFS) organization with a Medicare contract and/or a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Frank Woerner · Answer

Medicare Part B covers the following vaccines at "no cost".
* Pneumonia* Flu * COVID-19 and * Hepatitis B

Medicare Part D covers adult vaccines such as Shingles, Tdap vaccines, RSV and others at "no-cost".

Janel Ambrose · Answer

Medicare covers several vaccines, many of which are free if you meet the criteria and use providers who accept Medicare. 
Here are some preventative vaccines covered 100% are flu shot, Pneumococcal vaccines, Covid 19 vaccines. Review your Medicare and you handbook for a list of vaccines covered free of charge.

Steve Brauer · Answer

All of the vaccinations that the CDC recommends are no cost to Medicare beneficiaries.  That includes vaccinations for Shingles, Whooping cough, Tetanus, etc.

Ross Landon · Answer

Part B of Medicare covers common vaccines like the flu, Covid 19, pneumonia, & Hepatitus B shots.  

Part D drug coverage, generally covers adult immunizations to prevent things like shingles, tetanus shots if you have a puncture wound,  respiratory viruses, and things like those at no cost to you.

Joshua Filmore · Answer

Medicare splits vaccines into two groups. First, anything handled under Part B is completely free—no deductible, no copay—when you get it at a clinic or pharmacy that accepts Medicare. That bucket includes your yearly flu shot, every COVID‑19 dose and booster, both pneumonia vaccines, hepatitis B if you’re considered at risk (say, diabetes or kidney disease), plus emergency boosters like tetanus given right after an accident.

Everything else lands under your drug coverage (Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug benefits). Since 2023, any adult vaccine the CDC recommends—think shingles, Tdap boosters, the new RSV shot, and standard Hep A/B—also costs you $0 as long as you use a pharmacy in your plan’s network.

If you’re unsure which category a shot falls into or whether a pharmacy is in network, give me a call. I’ll clear it up faster than you can roll up your sleeve.

Eric Palmer · Answer

The vaccines that are covered are flu, pneumonia, hepatitis B, and covid-19. As well as those related to injury or exposure to a disease or condition.

Rachel Gauthier · Answer

This is an ever changing approval.  The best way to stay on top of the approved/covered Medicare vaccines would be to check on the What's Covered app for your smart phone.

Bernadette Baugh · Answer

There are many vaccines that are now covered for free by Medicare Part B or D. Flu, Pneumococcal, COVID-19, Shingles, Tdap, RSV, and any other CDC-recommended vaccines for adults are the main vaccines covered at no-cost with Medicare coverage.

Answered by Bernadette Baugh on April 22, 2025

Agent Licensed in IN & FL

Answered by Bernadette Baugh Medicare Insurance Agent

I'm confused about which vaccines Medicare covers. Can you explain which ones are free?

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I'm confused about which vaccines Medicare covers. Can you explain which ones are free?

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Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

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A non-government resource website