Fair Square Medicare Wordmark

Is the Shingles Vaccine Covered by Medicare?

Person receiving a vaccine stock photo
By Daniel Petkevich
Nov 17, 2022

The Shingles Vaccine: Your Questions Answered

Your immune system declines with age. As a result, you may get sick more often or take longer to recover.

Stay Up to Date on Medicare!

Join the Fair Square Medicare Newsletter to stay informed on cost savings, changes to Medicare, and other valuable healthcare information.
One particularly painful virus that affects older populations is shingles.
You can avoid shingles by getting vaccinated. But these vaccines can be expensive.
So what should you do? Is there a way for Medicare to cover your vaccination costs?
Let's find out.

What Is Shingles?

Shingles results from the same virus as chickenpox. Here's how it works:
  • When the virus enters your body for the first time, it causes chickenpox
  • The virus then stays in your body — even after your symptoms go away — and reappears as shingles later in life
Visual asset.
Shingles |

Cleveland Clinic

‎So, anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles. But adults ages 60+ account for more than half of the cases.
But unlike chickenpox, you can have shingles more than once.

Who Should Get the Shingles Vaccine?

CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends two doses of Shingrix — two or six months apart — for the following groups:
  • Anyone 50 years or older
  • Adults over the age of 19 who have weakened immune systems
But what if you've already had shingles or previously received a different shingles vaccine? Do you still need the Shingrix vaccine?
The simple answer: Yes.
The CDC clarifies that you should still get Shingrix even if you've had shingles, received Zostavax (a shingles vaccine no longer available in the U.S.), or received varicella (the chickenpox vaccine).
However, the CDC states that you should NOT get Shingrix if you:
  • Had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of Shingrix
  • Currently have shingles
  • Currently have a severe illness — with or without a fever
  • Are pregnant

Does Medicare Cover the Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix)?

Starting in January 2023 — per the new guidelines of the

Inflation Reduction Act

Medicare

Part D will cover 100% of the shingles vaccine (Shingrix). Beneficially, the act also includes full coverage for

all adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

. These include the Tetanus-Diphtheria-Whooping Cough and COVID-19 vaccines.

How Much Does the Shingles Vaccine Cost?

To recap: in 2023, the shingles vaccine will be free for all Medicare beneficiaries with Part D.
However, if you don't have Medicare yet, the exact cost depends on your plan, insurance provider, and pharmacy.

How Do I Get the Shingles Vaccine?

You can get your shingles shot at the following locations:
  • Local pharmacy — You can get vaccinated in any pharmacy that administers the shingles vaccine.
    • Visit a pharmacy within your plan's network. That way, the pharmacy can directly bill your plan.
  • Doctor's office — In 2023, you can get vaccinated in your doctor's office for free.

I Don't Have Medicare. What Are My Options?

First, if you're eligible, give us a call at

Fair Square Medicare

.
Here are a few different options that can help you pay for your vaccine:
    • To qualify for this program, you must be 18 or older, live in the United States or Puerto Rico, and meet certain income criteria.
    • You might also be eligible if you have Medicare Part D but have already spent $600 on medications through your plan.
  • Discount cards
    • Look out for discount coupons provided by

      GoodRx

      or

      SingleCare

    • Note: These discounts cannot be combined with your Part D benefits
  • Installment payments
    • Pay small amounts at a time if you can't afford the full price upfront
    • Talk to your doctor or check whether your pharmacy allows you to pay in installments

Takeaway

Starting in 2023, the shingles vaccine will be free for all Medicare beneficiaries with Part D. If you haven't yet received the vaccine, you can wait until January to get it for free.
However, if you've already received your first dose and need your second dose before next year, you can get coverage if you're on a prescription drug plan.
And if you're not sure where to start, don't worry!

Our team

is here to help. We'll answer any questions you might have about shingles, vaccines, and Medicare plans. Give us a call at 1-888-376-2028.

Stay Up to Date on Medicare!

Join the Fair Square Medicare Newsletter to stay informed on cost savings, changes to Medicare, and other valuable healthcare information.

Recommended Articles

Senior couple going over their finances in front of a computer stock image
How Much Does Medicare Part B Cost in 2025?
Dec 27, 2022
scleral lenses
Does Medicare Cover Scleral Lenses?
Dec 5, 2022
Male doctor with his arms crossed stock image
Can Doctors Choose Not to Accept Medicare?
Dec 8, 2022
senior man experiencing discomfort stock image
Does Medicare Cover Linx Surgery?
Dec 6, 2022
Cover image
Does Medicare Cover RSV Vaccines?
Sep 13, 2023
Four hands holding cut out image of kidneys stock image
Does Medicare Cover ESRD Treatments?
Dec 8, 2022
Ozempic stock image
Does Medicare Cover Ozempic?
Mar 28, 2023
Electrocardiograph with pacemaker stock photo
How Much Does a Pacemaker Cost with Medicare?
Nov 21, 2022
Medigap stock image
When Can You Change Medicare Supplement Plans?
Nov 18, 2022
COVID-19 at home test stock image
Does Medicare Cover COVID Tests?
Dec 21, 2022
Medigap plan letters on outstretched fingers stock image
How Do Medigap Premiums Vary?
Apr 12, 2023
All Book Retention Data
2024 Fair Square Client Retention and Satisfaction Report
Mar 4, 2025
Plastic surgeon handles a silicon implant
Does Medicare Cover Breast Implant Removal?
Jan 5, 2023
senior gentleman wearing a suit working on his laptop outside of his office stock photo
How Your Employer Insurance and Medicare Work Together
Sep 27, 2022
Senior woman fretting in front of her laptop stock photo
How Medicare Costs Can Pile Up
Oct 11, 2022
An illustrated image of a cartoon man using giant scissors to cut the "T" in the word "Tax"
How to Deduct Medicare Expenses from Your Taxes
Dec 28, 2022
Costco & Fair Square
Costco Pharmacy Partners with Fair Square
Jan 13, 2023
plastic surgeons standing over a patient stock image
Does Medicare Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
Nov 28, 2022

More of our articles

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Indianapolis

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Philadelphia

14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Seattle

20 Questions to Ask Your Medicare Agent

2024 Cost of Living Adjustment

Can Medicare Advantage Plans Deny Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions?

Can Medicare Help with the Cost of Tyrvaya?

Comparing All Medigap Plans | Chart Updated for 2025

Do I Need Medicare If My Spouse Has Insurance?

Do I Need to Renew My Medicare?

Does Medicare Cover a Spinal Cord Stimulator?

Does Medicare Cover an FMT?

Does Medicare Cover Boniva?

Does Medicare Cover Chiropractic Visits?

Does Medicare Cover Cold Laser Therapy (CLT)?

Does Medicare Cover Fosamax?

Does Medicare Cover Hypnotherapy?

Does Medicare Cover Incontinence Supplies?

Does Medicare Cover Iovera Treatment?

Does Medicare Cover Jakafi?

Does Medicare Cover Ketamine Infusion for Depression?

Does Medicare Cover Kidney Stone Removal?

Does Medicare Cover LVAD Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Macular Degeneration?

Does Medicare Cover Nexavar?

Does Medicare Cover Nuedexta?

Does Medicare Cover Ofev?

Does Medicare Cover Oxybutynin?

Does Medicare Cover Penile Implant Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Physicals & Blood Work?

Does Medicare Cover PTNS?

Does Medicare Cover Qutenza?

Does Medicare Cover Robotic Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover SI Joint Fusion?

Does Medicare Cover SIBO Testing?

Does Medicare Cover Stair Lifts?

Does Medicare Cover the Urolift Procedure?

Does Medicare Cover the WATCHMAN Procedure?

Does Medicare Cover Vitamins?

Does Medicare Cover Zilretta?

Does Medicare Have Limitations on Hospital Stays?

Does Medicare Pay for Allergy Shots?

Does Medicare pay for Opdivo?

Does Retiring at Age 62 Make Me Eligible for Medicare?

Does Your Medicare Plan Cover B12 Shots?

Estimating Prescription Drug Costs

Explaining the Different Enrollment Periods for Medicare

Finding the Best Vision Plans for Seniors

How Are Medicare Star Ratings Determined?

How Do Medicare Agents Get Paid?

How Does Medicare Pay for Emergency Room Visits?

How Does the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Affect Your Medicare?

How Much Does a Medicare Coach Cost?

How Much Does Medicare Part A Cost in 2025?

How to Become a Medicare Agent

Is Botox Covered by Medicare?

Medicare & Ozempic

Medicare 101

Medicare Advantage Plans for Disabled People Under 65

Medicare Consulting Services

Medicare Deductibles Resetting in 2025

Medicare Explained

Should You Work With A Remote Medicare Agent?

The Fair Square Bulletin: October 2023

Top 10 Physical Therapy Clinics in San Diego

Welcome to Fair Square's First Newsletter

What is a Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman?

What is the Medicare ICEP?

What People Don't Realize About Medicare

What You Need to Know About Creditable Coverage

What's the Difference Between HMO and PPO Plans?

Which Medigap Policies Provide Coverage for Long-Term Care?

Your Medicare One-Stop-Shop

Your guide to Medicare Parts A & B, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap. 100% free.
Get the Fair Square Bulletin

Medicare savings tips, helpful guides, and more.

About

Medicare 101

Current Clients

Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans

Fair Square 2025

Terms of Use
Notice of Privacy Practices

Virgil Insurance Agency, LLC (DBA Fair Square Medicare) and www.fairsquaremedicare.com are privately owned and operated by Help Button Inc. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent/producer may contact you. Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. Virgil Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. © 2025 Help Button Inc

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

MULTIPLAN_FairSquareMedicare_01062022_M