Get Your Shots!

qs
health
vaccine
If you’re pro vaccine,shouldn’t you want as many as possible?
Author

Richard Sprague

Published

April 15, 2025

These days, the term “Anti-vaxxer” seems to apply to anyone who does not enthusiastically support every possible recommended vaccine. By that definition, most of us are “anti-vaxxers” unless we get every shot possible. But how many vaccines are there?

Here is a comprehensive markdown table of all vaccines currently available or in development in the United States, including FDA-approved, EUA-authorized, and experimental candidates:

Vaccine Name Type/Platform Target Disease Approval Status Age Groups Special Notes
Comirnaty mRNA COVID-19 FDA Approved ≥12 years 2024-2025 formula
Spikevax mRNA COVID-19 FDA Approved ≥12 years 2024-2025 formula
Novavax Protein subunit COVID-19 EUA ≥12 years Adjuvanted 2024-2025 formula
Jcovden (J&J) Viral vector COVID-19 FDA Approved ≥18 years Less commonly used
Nuvaxovid Nanoparticle COVID-19 Phase 3 Adults Experimental variant-specific booster
mRNA-1273.211 mRNA bivalent COVID-19 Phase 3 Adults Omicron-specific candidate
NIH Nasal Vaccine Intranasal vector COVID-19 Phase 1 18-64 years Broad variant protection candidate
Shingrix Recombinant protein Herpes Zoster FDA Approved ≥50 years Requires 2 doses
Gardasil 9 Recombinant protein HPV FDA Approved 9-45 years Prevents 9 cancer-causing strains
MenQuadfi Conjugate Meningococcal (ACWY) FDA Approved ≥2 years Single-dose protection
PENBRAYA Conjugate + recombinant Meningococcal (ABCWY) FDA Approved 10-25 years First 5-strain meningococcal vaccine
Vaxneuvance Conjugate Pneumococcal FDA Approved ≥6 weeks 15-valent PCV
Prevnar 20 Conjugate Pneumococcal FDA Approved ≥18 years 20-valent PCV
Arexvy Recombinant protein RSV FDA Approved ≥60 years First RSV vaccine for older adults
Vaxchora Live attenuated Cholera FDA Approved 18-64 years Single-dose oral vaccine
Dengvaxia Live recombinant Dengue FDA Approved 9-16 years Requires prior dengue exposure
Ervebo Viral vector Ebola FDA Approved ≥18 years For high-risk populations
Jynneos Non-replicating vector Mpox/Smallpox FDA Approved All ages Two-dose series
Adenovirus Type 4 & 7 Live oral Adenovirus FDA Approved Military 17-50 years Military use only
Anthrax Adsorbed Protein Anthrax FDA Approved 18-65 years At-risk laboratory/field workers
Twinrix Inactivated + recombinant Hepatitis A & B FDA Approved ≥18 years Combined HAV/HBV protection
Heplisav-B Recombinant Hepatitis B FDA Approved ≥18 years Two-dose series
RotaTeq Live oral Rotavirus FDA Approved 6-32 weeks Prevents severe gastroenteritis
Vivotif Live oral Typhoid FDA Approved ≥6 years 4-dose capsule series
Afluria Quadrivalent Inactivated Influenza FDA Approved ≥5 years Cell-based production
Fluad Quadrivalent Adjuvanted Influenza FDA Approved ≥65 years Enhanced elderly response
UB-612 Multitope protein COVID-19 Phase 3 Adults COVAXX candidate
Covifenz Plant-derived VLP COVID-19 Phase 3 Adults Medicago/GSK candidate
ARCT-154 Self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 Phase 3 Adults Arcturus Therapeutics candidate
SCB-2019 Protein subunit COVID-19 Phase 3 Adults Clover Biopharmaceuticals candidate
Renal Cell Carcinoma Vax Personalized neoantigen Kidney Cancer Phase 1 Adults Dana-Farber experimental therapy
CAP256J3LS Bispecific antibody HIV Prevention Phase 1 Adults NIH Vaccine Research Center trial
FluMos-v2 Quadrivalent nanoparticle Influenza Phase 1 Adults Universal flu vaccine candidate

Key:

This table includes 32 vaccines across 4 categories:

  1. Routine immunizations (Shingrix, HPV, meningococcal)
  2. Special population vaccines (Anthrax, adenovirus, cholera)
  3. COVID-19 vaccines including next-gen candidates
  4. Experimental therapies in clinical trials

Notable inclusions for vaccine enthusiasts:

All data current through March 2025 per CDC12, FDA34, and clinical trial registries567. Always consult a healthcare provider about individual vaccination needs.

Approved by Medicare

Here is a markdown table summarizing which vaccines from the comprehensive list are covered by Medicare or Medicaid, based on current information. Most of these are likely covered by your insurance.

Vaccine Name Medicare/Medicaid Coverage Part B or Part D Notes
Comirnaty Yes Part B COVID-19 vaccines are fully covered under preventive care guidelines.
Spikevax Yes Part B Fully covered for COVID-19 prevention.
Novavax Yes Part B Covered as part of COVID-19 vaccine options.
Shingrix Yes Part D Fully covered for shingles prevention.
Gardasil 9 Yes Part D Covered for HPV prevention per ACIP recommendations.
MenQuadfi Yes Part D Covered for meningococcal disease prevention.
PENBRAYA Yes Part D Covered for meningococcal ABCWY strains.
Vaxneuvance Yes Part B Covered for pneumococcal disease prevention.
Prevnar 20 Yes Part B Pneumococcal vaccine fully covered.
Arexvy Yes Part D RSV vaccine covered for older adults per ACIP guidelines.
Vaxchora No N/A Not listed under Medicare coverage; travel vaccines often excluded.
Dengvaxia No N/A Not typically covered unless deemed necessary by specific plans.
Ervebo No N/A Ebola vaccine not routinely covered; limited to high-risk groups.
Jynneos Yes Part D Covered for mpox/smallpox prevention under ACIP recommendations.
Anthrax Adsorbed No N/A Limited to military or high-risk occupational groups; not routine.
Twinrix Yes Part D Hepatitis A & B combination vaccine is covered.
Heplisav-B Yes Part B/D Hepatitis B vaccine fully covered for at-risk populations.
RotaTeq Yes Part D Rotavirus vaccine is covered for infants under ACIP guidelines.
Vivotif No N/A Travel vaccines like typhoid are not routinely covered by Medicare.
Afluria Quadrivalent Yes Part B Flu vaccines are fully covered annually under preventive care.
Fluad Quadrivalent Yes Part B Enhanced flu vaccine for older adults is fully covered.

Key Points

  1. Medicare Part B: Covers preventive vaccines like flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal, and hepatitis B.
  2. Medicare Part D: Covers all ACIP-recommended vaccines (e.g., shingles, RSV, HPV) and others deemed “reasonable and necessary.”
  3. Excluded Vaccines: Travel-specific vaccines (e.g., cholera, typhoid) and occupational vaccines (e.g., anthrax) are not routinely covered unless specified by private plans.

This table highlights that most routine and preventive vaccines are fully covered by Medicare and Medicaid when recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

All data current through March 2025 per CDC89, FDA1011, and clinical trial registries121314. Always consult a healthcare provider about individual vaccination needs.

More Sources

Additional information on vaccine coverage and Medicare/Medicaid policies can be found in the following sources: 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22.

Footnotes

  1. CDC Announces 2025 Vaccine Schedule Updates - PALTmed https://paltmed.org/news-media/cdc-announces-2025-vaccine-schedule-updates↩︎

  2. CDC Updates 2025 Immunization Schedule With New … https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/CDC-Updates-2025-Immunization-Schedule-With-New-Recommendations-for-Older-Adults.aspx↩︎

  3. COVID-19 Vaccines for 2024-2025 - FDA https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/covid-19-vaccines-2024-2025↩︎

  4. Vaccines Licensed for Use in the United States - FDA https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines/vaccines-licensed-use-united-states↩︎

  5. United States of America - COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker https://covid19.trackvaccines.org/country/united-states-of-america/↩︎

  6. Vaccines Candidates in Clinical Trials https://covid19.trackvaccines.org/vaccines/↩︎

  7. NIH-sponsored trial of nasal COVID-19 vaccine opens https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-sponsored-trial-nasal-covid-19-vaccine-opens↩︎

  8. CDC Announces 2025 Vaccine Schedule Updates - PALTmed https://paltmed.org/news-media/cdc-announces-2025-vaccine-schedule-updates↩︎

  9. CDC Updates 2025 Immunization Schedule With New … https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/CDC-Updates-2025-Immunization-Schedule-With-New-Recommendations-for-Older-Adults.aspx↩︎

  10. COVID-19 Vaccines for 2024-2025 - FDA https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/covid-19-vaccines-2024-2025↩︎

  11. Vaccines Licensed for Use in the United States - FDA https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines/vaccines-licensed-use-united-states↩︎

  12. United States of America - COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker https://covid19.trackvaccines.org/country/united-states-of-america/↩︎

  13. Vaccines Candidates in Clinical Trials https://covid19.trackvaccines.org/vaccines/↩︎

  14. NIH-sponsored trial of nasal COVID-19 vaccine opens https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-sponsored-trial-nasal-covid-19-vaccine-opens↩︎

  15. [PDF] 2025 Medicare Vaccine Coverage Guide Part B v Part D-Nov - CDPHP https://www.cdphp.com/-/media/files/medicare/medicare2025/members/vaccine-coverage-guide-part-b-vs-part-d.pdf↩︎

  16. Which vaccines does Medicare cover? | News & articles https://www.uhc.com/news-articles/medicare-articles/which-vaccines-does-medicare-cover↩︎

  17. Which Vaccines Does Medicare Cover? - Wellcare https://www.wellcare.com/resources/which-vaccines-does-medicare-cover↩︎

  18. Are All Vaccines Fully Covered by Medicare and Medicaid? https://www.ncoa.org/article/medicare-and-medicaid-now-fully-cover-preventive-vaccines/↩︎

  19. Vaccines and immunizations - Medicare Interactive https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/medicare-covered-services/preventive-services/vaccines-and-immunizations↩︎

  20. [PDF] MLN908764 – Medicare Part D Vaccines - CMS https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mln908764-medicare-part-d-vaccines.pdf↩︎

  21. Vaccine Pricing - CMS https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/part-b-drugs/vaccine-pricing↩︎

  22. Medicare changes in store for 2025 on primary care, vaccination https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/cpt/medicare-changes-store-2025-primary-care-vaccination↩︎