Free Flu Shots? Where To Find Them With No Insurance - Health.com
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How much does a flu vaccine cost? Most health insurance plans cover the cost of a flu shot if you visit an in-network provider. You can typically find free flu shots without insurance at your job or school. Other places that might offer free flu shots include local pharmacies, grocery stores, health departments, churches and synagogues, and community centers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older (with just a few exceptions) get a flu shot before the end of October of each year. Flu season typically begins in October and peaks from December to February. Read on to learn where to get free flu shots without insurance and how long they last.
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The flu shot is free if you have health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These plans will not charge you a copayment or coinsurance if you visit an in-network healthcare provider, even if you have not met your yearly deductible. These guidelines also apply to people with most private health insurance plans.
The out-of-pocket cost of a flu shot without insurance usually depends on where you go and what kind of vaccine you get. Some pharmacies, such as CVS and Walgreens, give you a coupon for a discount on a purchase at the store when you get a flu shot.
The cost of a standard flu shot at some popular pharmacies is:
| CVS | Walgreens |
|---|---|
| $62.99 | $58.99 |
Vaccines made specifically for people aged 65 and over are more expensive than others. Medicare Part B fully covers senior vaccines.
There are several ways to get free or low-cost flu shots if you do not have health insurance. You can check with places where you are enrolled in some kind of loyalty program to see if you might be eligible for a discount. Walgreens, for example, gives 20% off the retail price of flu shots to those enrolled in their Prescription Savings Club.
Other places offer drive-through flu shots, including community clinics, major hospital networks, and even grocery chains. To help you out, Health rounded up all the places where you can get a free flu shot with or without insurance. Many places welcome walk-ins, but it's smart to go online or call first to see if you need an appointment.
Urgent Care Centers
Check with local urgent care centers if you have work or personal commitments and are unable to make it to a healthcare provider. Many urgent care centers are open after hours and on weekends.
Some may offer low-cost flu shots if you do not have health insurance. For example, PhysicianOne Urgent Care offers a standard flu shot for $25 out of pocket. Just make sure to call your local urgent care center ahead of time to make sure the shots are available at an affordable cost.
Your Job
Many companies offer free flu shots on-site, often without health insurance. Some companies provide vouchers that you can take to local pharmacies. Check with human resources if you have not heard anything about those offers from your employer.
Your University
Head to your campus health center, where you can often score a free flu shot if you are still in school. College students are particularly more likely to skip out on getting yearly flu shots than others. A 2017 Harris Poll conducted on behalf of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, for example, found that fewer than half of college students regularly get the vaccine.
Supermarkets
Many large grocery store chains, including Stop & Shop, Kroger, and Safeway, have on-site pharmacies offering free flu shots with most health insurance plans. Even stores without pharmacies may sponsor pop-up flu shot clinics.
You might be able to get a low-cost flu shot at one of these chains if you are uninsured. For example, Costco offers a standard flu shot starting at $19.99 if you are a member.
Local Health Departments, Community Centers, or Religious Sites
Many county health departments offer free flu shots during flu season, with or without health insurance. Contact your county's health department to see if you can benefit from the service. You may be able to get the flu shot for no cost through local churches and synagogues, free clinics, and community centers if you do not have health insurance.
Immunity from the flu shot lasts about six to eight months. You will need a new flu shot yearly to protect you during flu season. The vaccine also changes from year to year. Scientists predict what strains of the virus will be dominant during flu season and update the vaccine accordingly.
You can technically still get the flu shot well into flu season (like if you forgot about it until January). Still, getting the vaccine right away is still wise. For most people, getting a flu shot takes less than one minute and can be totally free.
The flu shot is key to protecting you and others against the seasonal flu virus. Whether you have health insurance or not, the vaccine is likely available at no or low cost through a healthcare provider, urgent care center, job, school, pharmacy, or grocery store, among other places.
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