I checked with H’s PCP and it seems we have gotten the latest pneumonia shots last year, 2024. We will go over everything again on Friday, when we need his new geriatrician. We get the same shots on the same day at same location for ease of record keeping. It works pretty well and I keep a spreadsheet of the specific name of vaccine, lot #, date administered & facility which administered. I share the info with our providers to add to electronic med records.
I had the latest pneumonia vaccine and I felt worse after it than any other vaccine I have had. But whatever. I get every vaccine I am offered.
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My friend had the same experience. I’m not looking forward to getting it, because I always have a strong immune reaction to begin with. Like you, though, I get vaccinated … a little discomfort now is better than a hospitalization later.
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I got the pneumonia vaccine this week. Although it is recommended starting at age 50, none of my doctors have told me to get it before (I am 65 now). My arm is still sore a couple of days later, but otherwise feel ok.
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The recommendation for age 50+ instead of 65+ started around 2024 and was not heavily publicized, so it may not have been noticed by many physicians.
I had no issues with the new vaccine. H had a sore arm for a few days (longer than he has had with all his covid shots) but that was it. Neither of us felt bad at all.
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I also got my first pneumonia shot a week ago today during my annual physical at age 66. I don’t tend to react much to shots and only had some very minor soreness. I need to get the Tdap but if I got it at the primary care office I would have to pay for it (a Medicare thing?) - but I can get for free at Costco.
The Tdap is covered under Part D, which is why you need to get it at a participating pharmacy rather than in the doctors office. The vaccines covered by Part B (as of today) and thus covered in the doctors office are (per the United Healthcare site):
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Flu vaccine: Annual vaccine given in one shot before or during flu season, usually November through April
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COVID-19 vaccine : Exact frequency and timing under review, but recommended to get one dose of updated vaccine
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Pneumonia vaccine: One-time vaccine given in two shots at least one year apart
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Hepatitis B vaccine: One-time vaccine given in two to four shots over one to six months for people who are medium to high risk, including people with diabetes
Part B also covers vaccines you may need if you’re exposed to a harmful virus or bacteria by accident. You might need a tetanus shot, for example, if you step on a rusty nail. Or you may need rabies shots if you’re bitten by a stray dog.
Vaccines covered by Part D include the following:
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RSV vaccine (Respiratory syncytial virus): One-time vaccine given in one shot
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Shingles vaccine: One-time vaccine given in two shots over two to six months
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Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis/whooping cough): One shot if you’ve never been vaccinated, and a booster every ten years
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Other vaccines covered: Vaccines that are “reasonable and necessary” to prevent illness and are not covered by Part B
Part D may also cover vaccines you may need if you are traveling internationally. Talk with your doctor about your travel plans and ask what vaccines are recommended.
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My PCP no longer offers the flu shot. She told me the costs to her were excessive. So,..I got mine at the local pharmacy.
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Yep, that’s what I understood - I just didn’t take the time to explain the detail! 
The nice thing about getting shots at Longs or Walgreens or other pharmacies is sometimes they give you coupons for shopping there, as an extra thank you. I never turn down a coupon that at a store I frequent, especially if it doesn’t specify a particular category you have to spend it on.
I was glad you brought it up. I think it’s good information to share, because it helps to know how it works. We get used to how things work with “regular” insurance & then boom … it all changes when we hit Medicare.
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Generally, I try to get all my shots at same CVS so they have a record but keep a spreadsheet as well and share with my internist so they can keep my medical record updated.
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I got my Covid and flu shots at Costco this fall - my primary care doc had all that info automatically in my chart when I went for my annual.
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Some pharmacies will send the vaccination record to your primary care physician if you have told them who they are.
Some states have statewide vaccination records that some physician offices download from.
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For me, transmittal of my vax info to my med records from pharmacy has been hit & miss so I decided to have a spreadsheet I keep up to date for MY peace of mind.