Short answer up top, then the exact rule. Here's what Original Medicare does and doesn't cover for the pneumonia (pneumococcal) vaccine in 2026 — and where a Medicare Advantage plan can fill the gap.
Quick answer: Yes. Medicare Part B covers pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccines, and you pay nothing when your doctor or provider accepts assignment. The Part B deductible does not apply.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans must cover everything Original Medicare covers, so the pneumonia vaccine is included with $0 cost-sharing. Get it from an in-network provider or pharmacy so your plan is billed correctly.
Every senior on Medicare — pneumococcal disease is one of the vaccines Medicare fully covers with no out-of-pocket cost, alongside the flu and COVID-19 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 pneumococcal vaccines at $0 when your provider accepts assignment — no copay, no coinsurance, and the deductible doesn't apply. This is a preventive benefit, separate from the Part D drug benefit.
It can. If your doctor recommends a different pneumococcal vaccine at least 12 months after your first one, Part B covers that shot too at $0 when the provider accepts assignment.
Coverage gaps in Original Medicare — like the pneumonia (pneumococcal) 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: