Proposed Legislation Would Expand Medicare Coverage of Vaccines

Encourage your Senators to support the recently introduced Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act. This bipartisan bill was developed by the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition, of which IDSA is a steering committee member, and introduced by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). The goal of the bill is to eliminate out of pocket cost for all vaccines recommended by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for adults ages 65 and over.

Currently, only a subset of ACIP recommended vaccines are covered by Medicare Part B with no copays, while all other vaccines are covered under Part D, with copays as high as $160. Higher copays are associated with lower uptake of vaccines, and are a significant burden to Medicare beneficiaries seeking vaccines not covered under Part B. The Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act would ensure that all ACIP recommended vaccines be covered as they are under Medicare Part B in order to remove financial barriers to vaccine access. 

Click here to contact your Senators to urge them to cosponsor this important bill. Additional Senate support is critical to advancing this bill, and the voices of expert constituents are highly effective in securing that support.