Does Medicare cover it? A to Z
Does Medicare cover the shingles vaccine?
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Short answer
Covered: Part D
Yes, Medicare drug coverage (Part D) covers the shingles vaccine, and you pay nothing for the shingles vaccine if you have Part D.
A Medicare Part D plan won't charge a copayment or apply a deductible for adult vaccines that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends.
Medicare Part D coverage comes from a separate Medicare drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage, and Medicare.gov lists the shingles vaccine among the adult vaccines Part D covers that aren't covered under Part B.
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Which part covers it | Medicare drug coverage (Part D) | Medicare.gov |
| What you pay with Part D | Nothing: no copayment and no deductible for ACIP-recommended adult vaccines | Medicare.gov |
| Part B (Medical Insurance) | Not covered under Part B; Part D covers the ACIP-recommended adult vaccines Part B doesn't | Medicare.gov |
| Where Part D comes from | A separate Medicare drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage | Medicare.gov |
| Medigap | Medigap plans sold after 2005 don't include prescription drug coverage | Medicare.gov |
What does Medicare cover for the shingles vaccine?
Medicare drug coverage (Part D) covers the shingles vaccine. Shingles vaccines can protect you against the varicella-zoster virus, which causes a painful skin rash and sometimes serious complications, like long-term pain.
Medicare drug coverage must cover all commercially available vaccines, like the shingles vaccine, when medically necessary to prevent illness. Part D covers all adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that aren't covered under Medicare Part B, including the vaccines for RSV, whooping cough and measles. See Medicare coverage of the RSV vaccine.
What do I pay for the shingles vaccine?
You pay nothing for the shingles vaccine if you have Part D. Your Part D plan won't charge you a copayment or apply a deductible for vaccines ACIP recommends.
Medicare.gov suggests asking your doctor or other health care provider how much a test, item or service will cost, because a doctor may recommend services that Medicare doesn't cover or offers too frequently.
Does Medicare Part B cover the shingles vaccine?
No. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers certain vaccines, like the COVID-19, flu, hepatitis B and pneumococcal vaccines. Medicare.gov lists the shingles vaccine among the adult vaccines that Part D covers and that aren't covered under Part B.
How do I get Part D coverage for the shingles vaccine?
You get Medicare drug coverage by joining a Medicare-approved plan that offers drug coverage. Medicare drug coverage is available to anyone with Medicare, and you have 2 options:
- A separate Medicare drug plan, which adds drug coverage to Original Medicare. You must have Part A and/or Part B to join one.
- A Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or other Medicare health plan that includes drug coverage. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage (Part D).
Does Medicare Advantage or Medigap change this?
A Medicare Advantage Plan that includes drug coverage gives you Part D coverage as part of the plan. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage, in most cases you won't be able to add a separate Medicare drug plan. Each plan can vary in cost and the specific drugs it covers, so check the plan's coverage.
Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) plans sold after 2005 don't include prescription drug coverage. If you have Medigap and want drug coverage, you can join a separate Medicare drug plan (Part D). Drug coverage is optional, but Medicare.gov notes that you may pay a late enrollment penalty if you join a drug plan later; see how the late enrollment penalties work.
Good to know
More questions people ask
Is the shingles vaccine free with Medicare?
Does Medicare Part B cover the shingles vaccine?
Does Medigap cover the shingles vaccine?
Do Medicare Advantage plans cover the shingles vaccine?
Related questions
In depth
- Medicare.gov: Shingles vaccines
- Medicare.gov: How do drug plans work?
- Medicare.gov: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) shot
- Medicare.gov: Drug coverage basics
- Medicare.gov: What's Medicare drug coverage (Part D)?
- Medicare.gov: Your health plan options
- Medicare.gov: Learn what Medigap covers
Figures are Medicare’s, set nationally, and were checked against these pages on October 2026. For your own situation, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
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This page was last updated: October 2026.