Medicare covers most vaccines at no cost to you, but the coverage depends on which part of Medicare you have and which vaccine you need.

If you are on Original Medicare (Parts A and B), Part B pays for most vaccines after you meet your yearly deductible. If you are on a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), your plan covers vaccines, though your out-of-pocket cost may vary. Either way, you do not pay a copay or coinsurance for covered vaccines once you are may be able to access — the program covers the full cost.

The vaccines Medicare covers are those the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends for adults 65 and older, or for people with certain medical conditions. This includes flu shots, pneumococcal vaccines, shingles vaccine, RSV vaccine (for adults 60 and older), and others. Some vaccines are covered under Part B; others may be covered under Part D (prescription drug coverage) depending on where you get them.

Key Takeaways

  • Original Medicare Part B covers flu, pneumococcal, shingles, RSV, and tetanus vaccines at no cost after your deductible is met.
  • Medicare Advantage plans must cover the same vaccines as Original Medicare, though your out-of-pocket cost depends on your specific plan.
  • You can get most vaccines at your doctor's office, a pharmacy, or a health clinic — Medicare covers them wherever you go.
  • Some vaccines may be covered under Part D if you get them at a pharmacy instead of a doctor's office, so ask where the cost is lowest for you.

Which Vaccines Original Medicare Part B Covers

Original Medicare Part B covers the following vaccines for people 65 and older: influenza (flu) vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax 23 and Prevnar 20), shingles vaccine (Shingrix), RSV vaccine (Arexvy or Abrysvo), and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine (Tdap). Part B also covers hepatitis B vaccine for people with diabetes or end-stage renal disease, and other vaccines if you have a condition that puts you at risk.

You do not pay anything for these vaccines once you have met your Part B deductible for the year. After you meet the deductible, Medicare pays 100 percent of the cost. If you have not yet met your deductible, you pay the full cost of the vaccine, and that payment counts toward your deductible.

The shingles vaccine (Shingrix) requires two doses given two to six months apart. The RSV vaccine is a single dose. The flu vaccine is given once per year, usually in the fall. Pneumococcal vaccines may require more than one dose depending on your age and health history — your doctor can tell you which ones you need.

How Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Vaccines

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan must cover all the same vaccines that Original Medicare Part B covers. However, your out-of-pocket cost — whether you pay a copay, coinsurance, or nothing at all — depends on your specific plan. Some plans cover vaccines with no cost to you; others may charge a small copay.

Check your plan's formulary or call the plan directly to find out what you will pay for a specific vaccine. You can also ask your doctor's office to check your coverage before your appointment. If your plan charges a copay for vaccines, that copay is usually small — often five to ten dollars — but it varies by plan.

Medicare Advantage plans may also cover vaccines through Part D (prescription drug coverage) if you get them at a pharmacy instead of a doctor's office. In that case, your cost depends on whether the vaccine is on your plan's formulary and what tier it is on. It is worth asking your pharmacist and your doctor which location will cost you less.

Where to Get Your Vaccines

You can get covered vaccines at your primary care doctor's office, at an urgent care clinic, at a pharmacy (such as CVS, Walgreens, or your local grocery store pharmacy), or at a public health department clinic. Medicare covers the vaccine itself no matter where you go, as long as the provider is enrolled in Medicare.

If you go to your doctor's office, the cost is covered under Part B. If you go to a pharmacy, the vaccine may be covered under Part B or Part D depending on the pharmacy's agreement with Medicare. Call ahead to confirm that the location accepts Medicare and ask whether the vaccine is in stock, especially during flu season when demand is high.

Some pharmacies offer vaccines by appointment; others take walk-ins. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check whether your plan has a preferred pharmacy network — using an in-network pharmacy may lower your cost.

What to Bring When You Get Vaccinated

Bring your Medicare card (or your Medicare Advantage card if you have one) and a photo ID. If you are getting a vaccine for the first time or if your records are not in the system, bring any vaccination records you have from previous years. This helps your provider avoid giving you a vaccine you have already received.

If you are on a Medicare Advantage plan, bring your plan card instead of your Original Medicare card. If you have both (for example, if you have Original Medicare and a Medigap plan), bring both cards so the provider can bill correctly.

Vaccines Not Covered by Medicare

Medicare does not cover vaccines that are not recommended for people 65 and older by the CDC, or vaccines for travel to other countries (such as yellow fever or Japanese encephalitis). If you need a vaccine that Medicare does not cover, you will pay the full cost out of pocket, though some pharmacies and clinics offer discounts for uninsured or out-of-pocket costs.

If you travel internationally and need travel vaccines, ask your doctor or a travel medicine clinic about the cost. Some travel clinics can bill your Medicare Advantage plan's Part D coverage if the vaccine is on the formulary, but this is not may provide.

If You Have Not Met Your Part B Deductible

If you have Original Medicare and have not yet met your yearly Part B deductible, you will pay the full cost of the vaccine out of pocket. That payment counts toward your deductible. Once you meet the deductible, Medicare covers vaccines at no cost for the rest of the year.

Your Part B deductible resets on January 1 each year. If you get a vaccine late in the year and have not met your deductible, you may want to wait until January to get it — but talk to your doctor first, especially for the flu vaccine, which is most effective when you get it in the fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay anything for a flu shot on Medicare?

No, if you have Original Medicare Part B and have met your yearly deductible, the flu shot is free. If you have not met your deductible, you pay the full cost, which counts toward it. Medicare Advantage plans must cover the flu shot, though your copay depends on your plan.

Can I get the shingles vaccine if I already had shingles?

Yes, Medicare covers the shingles vaccine (Shingrix) even if you had shingles in the past. Your doctor can tell you how long to wait after shingles before getting the vaccine. The vaccine is given in two doses two to six months apart.

What if my pharmacy says my vaccine is not covered?

Ask the pharmacy to check under both Part B and Part D, since coverage can vary by location. If it is still not covered, call your Medicare plan directly to confirm. You can also ask your doctor's office to give you the vaccine instead — it will be covered under Part B.

Do I need a new flu shot every year on Medicare?

Yes, the CDC recommends a flu shot once per year for all adults 65 and older. Medicare covers one flu shot per year at no cost. The best time to get it is in the fall, before flu season peaks.

Is the RSV vaccine covered if I am under 60?

Medicare covers the RSV vaccine for adults 60 and older. If you are under 60 and have a condition that puts you at high risk, ask your doctor whether you are covered — some people with certain medical conditions may be covered at a younger age.