Does Medicare Cover the Shingles Vaccine in 2026?

If you are a Medicare beneficiary, you may be wondering whether Medicare covers the shingles vaccine. A common question we receive is: Does Medicare pay for the shingles vaccine, and what are the specifics of coverage? This is one of the most common questions we receive at Craig Smith Insurance Group. The answer has changed significantly in recent years. Fortunately, most Medicare beneficiaries today can get the shingles vaccine at little or no cost. However, the coverage depends on which type of Medicare plan you have. Therefore, in this guide, we will explain exactly how Medicare covers the shingles vaccine in 2026. We will also explain what you need to do to get it covered.

What Is the Shingles Vaccine?

First, it is helpful to understand what the shingles vaccine is and why it is so important for Medicare beneficiaries. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Furthermore, shingles becomes increasingly common as people age. Roughly one in three Americans develops shingles in their lifetime. As a result, the shingles vaccine is one of the most important preventive measures available to seniors.

The current shingles vaccine recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is Shingrix, made by GlaxoSmithKline. Specifically, Shingrix is a two-dose vaccine that is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and its complications. Moreover, the CDC recommends Shingrix for all adults aged 50 and older. It is also recommended for immunocompromised adults aged 19 and older.

Does Medicare Cover the Shingles Vaccine?

Yes — Medicare does cover the shingles vaccine. However, the way it is covered depends on whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. Therefore, understanding the difference is critical to ensuring you receive the vaccine at the lowest possible cost.

Does Medicare Part B Cover the Shingles Vaccine?

This is where many Medicare beneficiaries get confused. Specifically, Medicare Part B covers most preventive vaccines, such as the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine, at no cost to you. However, the shingles vaccine is an important exception. Part B does not cover the shingles vaccine.

Instead, the shingles vaccine is covered under Medicare Part D, your prescription drug coverage. As a result, if you have Original Medicare without a Part D plan, you will have to pay the full out-of-pocket cost of the Shingrix vaccine. This cost can be several hundred dollars per dose.

Does Medicare Part D Cover the Shingles Vaccine?

Yes — Medicare Part D covers the shingles vaccine. In fact, as of 2023, the Inflation Reduction Act eliminated cost-sharing for all recommended adult vaccines under Medicare Part D. Therefore, if you have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you can receive the Shingrix vaccine at no cost to you. You will have a $0 copay and $0 deductible.

This is a significant improvement from previous years, when many Part D beneficiaries still had to pay a portion of the vaccine cost. Consequently, if you have been putting off getting the shingles vaccine due to cost concerns, 2026 is an excellent time to get it done at no charge.

Does Medicare Advantage Cover the Shingles Vaccine?

Yes — if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage (also known as a MAPD plan), your shingles vaccine is covered at no cost to you. Furthermore, since most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage, the vast majority of Medicare Advantage enrollees can receive Shingrix at $0.

However, it is important to note that coverage details can vary between Medicare Advantage plans. Therefore, it is always a good idea to confirm your specific plan’s vaccine coverage before scheduling your appointment.

What If I Have Original Medicare Without Part D?

If you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B only) without a standalone Part D prescription drug plan, the shingles vaccine is not covered by Medicare. As a result, you would be responsible for the full out-of-pocket cost of Shingrix. This cost typically ranges from $150 to $200 per dose. Since Shingrix requires two doses, the total cost could be $300 to $400 or more.

Fortunately, there are a few options available to you in this situation:

• Enroll in a Medicare Part D plan — adding a standalone Part D plan will cover your shingles vaccine at no cost going forward
• Check with your state’s pharmaceutical assistance program — New York’s EPIC program, for example, may provide assistance with vaccine costs for eligible seniors
• Ask your pharmacist about manufacturer assistance programs — GlaxoSmithKline offers patient assistance programs that may help reduce the cost of Shingrix

Where Can I Get the Shingles Vaccine With Medicare?

One of the most convenient aspects of Medicare Part D vaccine coverage is that you can receive the shingles vaccine at a wide variety of locations. Specifically, you can get Shingrix at:

• Your doctor’s office — your primary care physician can administer Shingrix and bill your Part D plan directly
• Retail pharmacies — major pharmacy chains including CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and most supermarket pharmacies administer Shingrix and accept Medicare Part D
• Health clinics — many urgent care centers and community health clinics offer Shingrix vaccinations

Furthermore, when you go to get your shingles vaccine, make sure to bring your Medicare card and your Part D plan card. As a result, the pharmacy or provider can bill your Part D plan directly, and you should owe nothing at the point of service.

How Many Doses of Shingrix Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare Part D covers both doses of the Shingrix vaccine at no cost to you. Specifically, the Shingrix series consists of:

• Dose 1 — the initial dose
• Dose 2 — administered 2 to 6 months after the first dose

Therefore, make sure to complete both doses to receive the full protection that Shingrix provides. Additionally, if you previously received the older shingles vaccine called Zostavax, the CDC still recommends getting Shingrix for stronger and longer-lasting protection.

Why Is the Shingles Vaccine So Important for Medicare Beneficiaries?

Beyond the coverage question, it is worth understanding why getting the shingles vaccine is so important, especially for Medicare beneficiaries. Specifically, shingles can cause severe complications, including:

• Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) — a painful nerve condition that can last for months or years after the shingles rash clears
• Vision loss — shingles near the eye can cause serious eye problems, including blindness
• Hearing problems — shingles can affect the ear and cause hearing loss or balance problems
• Bacterial skin infections — the shingles rash can become infected if not properly treated
• Encephalitis — in rare cases, shingles can cause brain inflammation

Moreover, the risk of these complications increases significantly with age. Consequently, getting vaccinated is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health and quality of life as a Medicare beneficiary.

Frequently Asked Questions — Medicare and the Shingles Vaccine

Is the shingles vaccine free with Medicare?

Yes — if you have Medicare Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage, the shingles vaccine (Shingrix) is covered at no cost to you with $0 copay and $0 deductible as of 2023. However, if you have Original Medicare without Part D, the vaccine is not covered, and you would pay out of pocket.

Does Medicare Part B cover the shingles vaccine?

No — unlike the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine, the shingles vaccine is not covered under Medicare Part B. Instead, it is covered under Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

What is the best shingles vaccine for seniors?

The CDC recommends Shingrix as the preferred shingles vaccine for adults 50 and older. Shingrix is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and is significantly more effective than the older Zostavax vaccine, which is no longer available in the United States.

Can I get the shingles vaccine at a pharmacy with Medicare?

Yes — most major retail pharmacies, including CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid, administer Shingrix and accept Medicare Part D. Simply bring your Medicare card and Part D plan card to the pharmacy, and the vaccine should be covered at no cost to you.

Do I need a prescription to get the shingles vaccine with Medicare?

In most states, you do not need a prescription to receive the shingles vaccine at a pharmacy. However, requirements vary by state. In New York, pharmacists are authorized to administer vaccines without a prescription for eligible patients. Therefore, you can walk into most pharmacies and receive Shingrix directly. You do not need to visit your doctor first.

Have Medicare Questions? We Can Help.

Understanding exactly what your Medicare plan covers and what it doesn’t is essential to getting the most out of your coverage. Furthermore, if you do not currently have a Medicare Part D plan and are paying out of pocket for vaccines and prescription drugs, you may be leaving significant savings on the table.

At Craig Smith Insurance Group, we help seniors across Queens, Long Island, the Bronx, Westchester, Rockland County, and New Jersey review their Medicare coverage. We also help them find the right plan for their needs — at no cost to them. As an independent Medicare broker, I compare all available Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Part D plans in your area. This ensures you have the coverage you need at the best available price.

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We are not connected with or endorsed by the United States Government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE for information on all your options.