Which of the following vaccines is NOT covered by Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B covers a variety of vaccines, primarily those that prevent diseases in the elderly or individuals with certain health conditions. The high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV3), pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) are all designated as preventive services under Medicare Part B, meaning they are covered when administered in accordance with Medicare guidelines.

In contrast, the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV), which is intended to prevent shingles in older adults, is not covered under Medicare Part B. Instead, RZV is considered a pharmacy benefit under Medicare Part D. This means that while Medicare Part B covers certain preventive vaccines, RZV falls into the category of non-preventative vaccines as far as Part B coverage is concerned, highlighting an important distinction between the two parts of Medicare.

This understanding of coverage distinctions helps clarify why RZV is not included under Part B, while the others are, and provides insight into the nuances of Medicare vaccine coverage policy.