Are COVID-19 Vaccines Free for Adults?

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We have come a long way in our fight against COVID-19, in large part thanks to vaccines that help us prevent serious illness and death. 

But the virus has not gone away. 

Fortunately, vaccines are available and free for adults, and they’re the best way to protect yourself and your familia against the worst outcomes of the virus! 

Let’s explore how “You’re Covered” against COVID-19! 

COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations for Adults 

CDC recommends everyone ages 5 and older should get 1 dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.  

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of updated COVID-19 vaccine. 

Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your community against the worst outcomes of COVID-19, according to the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project. 

Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio is partner in the project’s “You’re Covered” campaign. 

“Updated COVID-19 vaccines continue to be available to everyone in the United States free of cost,” according to the You’re Covered campaign. 

Adults in Medicaid: Are COVID-19 Vaccines Covered Free of Cost? 

Yes.  

All COVID-19 vaccines are available to Medicaid beneficiaries with no out-of-pocket costs, as currently stipulated by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. 

Updates in the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) require state Medicaid agencies to cover all vaccines recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—including COVID-19 vaccines—for Medicaid beneficiaries with no out-of-pocket costs. 

Adults in Medicare: Are COVID-19 Vaccines Covered Free of Cost? 

Yes.  

All COVID-19 vaccines are covered by Medicare Part B without cost-sharing. 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act stipulates that Medicare is required by law to cover COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to beneficiaries. 

Recent changes to Medicare now ensure that all ACIP-recommended vaccines—both those covered under Part B as well as Part D—are available free of cost to Medicare beneficiaries.  

Adults in Tricare: Are COVID-19 Vaccines Covered Free of Cost? 

Yes.  

COVID-19 vaccines are covered by TRICARE for all beneficiaries with no out-of-pocket costs.  

TRICARE covers all age-appropriate doses of vaccines—including COVID-19 vaccines—as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  

Adults with Private Insurance: Are COVID-19 Vaccines Covered Free of Cost? 

Yes. 

Those with private insurance, including those with employer-provided health insurance, can access COVID-19 vaccines with no out-of-pocket costs through in-network providers. 

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), private insurance plans are required to cover all vaccines recommended for routine use by ACIP free of cost-sharing. This includes COVID-19 vaccines. 

Going forward, any COVID-19 vaccines recommended by ACIP—including updated vaccines—will be fully covered by private insurance plans within 15 days of ACIP recommendation.  

Adults with No Insurance: Are COVID-19 Vaccines Covered Free of Cost? 

Yes.  

Adults ages 18-64 without insurance can access COVID-19 vaccines free of cost through safety net providers and the CDC’s Bridge Access Program, which will include retail pharmacies.  

Find additional vaccine information on the You’re Covered website in English and Spanish. 

Still Undecided on COVID-19 Vaccination? 

To encourage Latinos to get vaccinated, Salud America! is sharing stories of real Latinos who are squashing misinformation and getting vaccinated. 

Take, for example, Rosa Herrera. 

Rosa was hesitant to get the COVD-19 vaccine after reading misinformation on Facebook. 

However, after COVID-19 hit close to home, causing her children to become hospitalized, and several of her other family members getting vaccinated, Herrera began to reconsider. 

After more research and consideration, Herrera decided to get vaccinated.  

Now, Herrera helps others schedule vaccination appointments! 

“I tell them, ‘I already did it, you can do it! Nothing is going to happen to you. Nothing happened to me,” Herrera said. “But then at the same time, I let them know that everybody reacts differently because, we’re not all the same. But I think it’ll be better for them to get the vaccine to protect themselves, but mainly for their family members.” 

Find COVID-19 vaccination locations near you in English and Spanish. 

Editor’s Note: Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio is a partner in the “You’re Covered” campaign of the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project, led by the Alliance for Aging Research, Healthy Women, and the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging.