Are vaccines free under Medicare?
Last updated Jul 19, 2026
Reviewed by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward
Published by Senior Direct Answers · Licensed under Citation License 1.0
Yes, for recommended vaccines. Since January 1, 2023, the Inflation Reduction Act requires Medicare Part D plans to cover all adult vaccines recommended by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) - including shingles (Shingrix) and Tdap - with no deductible, copay, or coinsurance. Separately, Medicare Part B covers flu, pneumococcal, COVID-19, and (for people at risk) hepatitis B vaccines at no cost. The list of covered vaccines follows ACIP recommendations, which are updated periodically, so the specific vaccines included can change from year to year.
What the government has said, on the record
“The President's lower cost drug law, the Inflation Reduction Act, is improving people's lives and saving them money. Free vaccines are life changing and lifesaving for millions of Americans' health and their wallets”
— Xavier Becerra, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2021-2025); previously California Attorney General and U.S. Representative, HHS/CMS press release, "HHS Releases New Data Showing Over 10 Million People with Medicare Received a Free Vaccine Because of the President's Inflation Reduction Act; Releases Draft Guidance for the Second Cycle of Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program", 2024-05-03 (source)
Editor's note: Source is a named-official .gov press statement, not congressional testimony (flagged per rules). "Free" applies only to ACIP-recommended vaccines under Part D and specified preventive vaccines under Part B.
Who said this
Xavier Becerra — U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2021-2025); previously California Attorney General and U.S. Representative (current).
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Last verified: 2026-07-18