August is National Immunization Awareness Month

Posted on July 13, 2023

Are you up-to-date on your immunizations? It’s always a good time to check in with your primary care provider (PCP) to make sure you’ve gotten your age-appropriate immunizations.

The following vaccines are recommended for healthy adults over 65 years of age:

• COVID-19 vaccine and booster: Health New England covers the COVID-19 vaccine and booster for $0 copay.
• Flu (influenza) vaccine: Health New England covers the flu vaccine once every year for $0 copay. You can get it at your in-network doctor’s office or at a participating retail pharmacy. Learn more about flu at cdc.gov/flu and get your flu shot this fall before the flu season begins.
• Pneumonia vaccine: Protects against pneumococcal disease, including infections in the lungs and bloodstream. (Health New England covers the pneumonia vaccine for $0 copay.)
• Shingles vaccine: Protects against shingles and the complications from the disease. Your risk increases as you age (copay may apply—not covered under No Rx plans).
• Td vaccine: Get a booster shot every 10 years to protect against tetanus and diphtheria (copay may apply—not covered under No Rx plans).
• Tdap vaccine: Recommended if you did not receive it as an adolescent to protect against pertussis (whooping cough) (copay may apply—not covered under No Rx plans).

Learn more about the importance of immunizations at cdc.gov/vaccines. Be sure to talk with your PCP about what immunizations are recommended for you. Please reference your plan’s Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for vaccine coverage information. Find EOCs at healthnewengland.org/medicare/EOC.

Categories: MemberMatters - Medicare

Tags: 65 years or older, immunizations, vaccinations