How Many Vaccines Are 100% Covered by Medicare in 2025?

If you’re 65 or older, you’re likely hearing a lot about vaccines—and even more questions about what Medicare will actually pay for. In 2025, the good news is that Medicare covers more vaccines than ever before, often at no out-of-pocket cost to you.

Let’s break it down, because depending on the type of vaccine and how it’s given, Medicare covers them under Part A, B, C (Advantage), or D. Here’s everything you need to know.

Medicare’s Vaccine Coverage by the Numbers

Medicare allocates roughly $5 billion annually for vaccines. This massive investment is meant to prevent hospitalizations, protect seniors, and reduce long-term healthcare costs. But not all vaccines are covered the same way.

Medicare Part A and B: What’s Covered for Free?

Medicare Part A doesn’t usually cover outpatient vaccines—it’s focused on inpatient care like hospital stays. But if a vaccine is administered during a hospital visit, it might be included.

Medicare Part B, however, is where most preventive vaccines are fully covered. If your doctor or provider accepts Medicare, these vaccines come at no cost to you:

• Flu Vaccine – One shot per flu season (and there are now two flu seasons each year). Medicare spends $1 billion treating flu complications annually.
• Pneumonia Vaccine – Given in two doses. Pneumonia costs Medicare $13 billion each year.
• Hepatitis B Vaccine – Covered if you’re at medium or high risk, such as living with diabetes or undergoing dialysis. Medicare spends about $2 billion on Hep B treatment annually.
• COVID-19 Vaccine – All doses and boosters are 100% covered. Medicare spends $2 billion per year here too.
• Rabies Vaccine – Covered by Part B only if you’ve been exposed (like after an animal bite).

Medicare Part D: Self-Administered or Pharmacy-Based Vaccines

Part D plans handle vaccines typically administered at the pharmacy or as self-injectables. Thanks to recent policy updates, all of these vaccines are now covered at zero cost:

• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) – Newer to the market but fully covered. Medicare spends $6.6 billion annually on RSV-related care.
• Shingles (Zoster) – Medicare Advantage and Part D plans now cover this entirely, saving you from the usual $200/dose.
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Whooping Cough) – Covered under Part D unless given for an injury (then it’s Part B).
• Hepatitis A & Combo Vaccines (like Twinrix) – Covered through Part D.
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) – Fully covered under Part D.
• Varicella (Chickenpox) – Covered under Part D.
• Travel Vaccines – Covered only if ACIP and the CDC recommend them for your destination.

How Are These Vaccines Approved for Medicare Coverage?

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—a 55-member panel housed under the CDC—recommends which vaccines Medicare should cover. The group meets three times a year and includes physicians, scientists, and public health officials.

Once ACIP makes a recommendation, it is adopted by the CDC and then by Medicare.

Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)

Most Medicare Advantage Plans follow the rules set by Parts B and D. However, you’ll need to use in-network providers to avoid out-of-pocket costs, and some plan benefits may vary slightly. Always review your plan’s coverage annually.

Why This Matters: Vaccines Prevent Expensive Problems

Treating diseases like flu, RSV, or shingles can cost Medicare (and you) thousands. For example:

• The average RSV hospitalization for seniors costs $50,000.
• A shingles outbreak could lead to chronic nerve pain and other complications.
• Influenza hospitalizations alone cost $12,000 each.

Medicare’s preventive vaccine coverage aims to keep you healthy and out of the hospital, while also lowering long-term healthcare costs across the board.

Need Help Navigating Medicare?

The Medicare Essentials Workshop helps beneficiaries understand when to enroll, how to pick the right plan, and how to avoid costly enrollment mistakes. It also covers vaccine benefits and what steps you should take to maximize your preventive care.

Bottom Line: So How Many Vaccines Are 100% Covered by Medicare in 2025?

At least 10 core vaccines—including flu, pneumonia, COVID, shingles, RSV, and more—are fully covered under Part B or Part D with zero out-of-pocket costs. That’s a major win for seniors who want to stay healthy without financial strain.

If you’re 65+ or caring for someone who is, now’s the time to take full advantage of Medicare’s preventive coverage. It’s not just about protection—it’s about peace of mind.