Short answer up top, then the exact rule. Here's what Original Medicare does and doesn't cover for the COVID-19 vaccine in 2026 — and where a Medicare Advantage plan can fill the gap.
Quick answer: Yes. Medicare Part B covers the updated (2025–2026 formula) COVID-19 vaccine for anyone with Medicare, and you pay nothing when your provider accepts assignment. The Part B deductible does not apply.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans cover the COVID-19 vaccine with $0 cost-sharing, the same as Original Medicare. Use an in-network provider or pharmacy so the plan is billed correctly and you aren't charged.
Every senior on Medicare. The COVID-19 vaccine is one of the vaccines Medicare fully covers at no out-of-pocket cost, along with the flu and pneumococcal shots.
See the current Part A, Part B, and Part D numbers — premiums, deductibles, and the new drug cap — in one place. Free, no signup.
See 2026 Medicare Costs →Yes. Part B covers the updated COVID-19 vaccine at $0 when your provider accepts assignment — no copay, no coinsurance, and the deductible doesn't apply. Bring your Medicare card to your appointment or pharmacy.
Yes. Medicare covers the current updated (2025–2026 formula) COVID-19 vaccine for people with Medicare at no cost when the provider accepts assignment.
Coverage gaps in Original Medicare — like the COVID-19 vaccine — are exactly what a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan is meant to fill. Our free Enrollment Finder shows the window you can switch in, and the guide library walks through the trade-offs. This page is free to share with anyone weighing their options.
Open the Enrollment Finder →This answer is based on U.S. government Medicare coverage rules: