What vaccinations should I consider now that winter is approaching …
Fall used to trigger the need for just one vaccination, for the newest flu variants. This year, three shots are being recommended for older Americans.

To start, federal health officials in September said a new COVID booster will help protect us from the latest coronavirus variants. Officials also recently approved two respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for adults 60 and over; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting either this fall. Finally, officials of course recommend your annual influenza shot to forestall the latest flu strains.

Though the CDC says adults can get the vaccines all at once, William Schaffner, M.D., professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, suggests getting the COVID and flu vaccines together, then the RSV shot separately—and the sooner, the better.

… and will Medicare cover the costs?
All Medicare beneficiaries are eligible to get the latest COVID vaccine for free. Likewise, the flu shot has long been available at no cost under Medicare Part B. As for the RSV vaccination: If you are enrolled in a Part D prescription drug plan or your Medicare Advantage plan includes drug coverage, you’re eligible to get that shot for free too. But if you are one of 14 million Medicare enrollees without a Part D plan, you may have to pay out of pocket for the RSV shot, which could cost more than $300, unless you have other drug coverage.

By the way, under the Inflation Reduction Act, all vaccines the federal government recommends for adults are free if you’re enrolled in a Part D drug plan. That includes the all-important shingles vaccine.