TRICARE Allows Network Pharmacies to Administer Covered Vaccines

TRICARE is expanding the number of preventive vaccines covered at retail network pharmacies. Until now, the majority of vaccines were only covered when obtained through a physician's office.

TRICARE covers age-appropriate vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including the high-demand shingles vaccine Zostavax. Since late 2009, TRICARE has covered seasonal flu, H1N1 flu and pneumococcal vaccines at retail pharmacies with nearly 300,000 vaccines administered to date. The expanded program covers immunizations for measles, mumps, shingles and many other preventable diseases.

The next time you need a vaccination, keep the following things in mind if you would like to visit a network pharmacy:

• Although all 50 states authorize pharmacists to administer vaccines, state laws vary on which vaccines may be administered in retail pharmacies. You should contact your pharmacists for more information.
• There is no copayment for covered vaccines administered at a participating network pharmacy.
• Approximately 50,000 retail pharmacies nationwide will be able to administer covered vaccines using Express Scripts, Inc.'s (Extress Scripts') commercial vaccine network.
• The shingles vaccine Zostavax, anticipated to be in high demand through retain pharmacies, is currently in low supply and on back order from the supplier. The vaccine is covered for beneficiaries age 60 and older. If you would like to receive this vaccine, please check with your pharmacy to ask if it is in stock.

For more information, including a network pharmacy directory and a complete list of vaccinations that are now covered at pharmacies, please visit www.tricare.mil/vaccines or call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303.