Medicare says eligible individuals can have second COVID-19 booster shot free

The USA’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) says it will pay for a second COVID-19 booster shot of either the Pfizer (NYSE: PFE)-BioNTech (Nasdaq: BNTX) or Moderna (Nasdaq: MRNA) COVID-19 vaccines without cost sharing as it continues to provide coverage for this critical protection from the virus.

People with Medicare pay nothing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and there is no applicable co-payment, coinsurance or deductible. People with Medicaid coverage can also get COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, at no cost.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. Certain immunocompromised individuals and people ages 50 years and older who received an initial booster dose at least four months ago are eligible for another booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. Additionally, the CDC recommends that adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s (NYSE: JNJ) Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least four months ago can receive a second booster dose of a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.