How Much Does a Flu Shot Cost Without Insurance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)recommends most people get a flu shot every year,starting at 6 months of age. That includes people who are pregnant at any stage.

There arenine flu vaccines available for the 2024-2025flu season. Aside from age restrictions for specific vaccines, the CDC doesn't recommend any one type of flu vaccine over another.

Most insurers cover the annual flu vaccine as preventive care, and often at no cost to the insured. That is the case forMedicareenrollees, manyMedicaidenrollees, and people with coverage through theAffordable Care Act marketplacessuch asHealthcare.gov.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Do you have Medicare?You mightreceive coveragefor your flu shot if you meet the requirements.
• Are you 65 or older?Flu vaccinesrecommended for older adultsare more expensive. Here's what you might expect to pay.
• Wondering if the flu shot really works?Get all the details on how the flu vaccine canprotect you and othersfrom serious illness.

However, about 10% of Americans areuninsured. Below, we break down the costs of different kinds of flu vaccines and show you ways to save money if you're paying out of pocket.

How much do flu shots cost if you don't have insurance? For people who don't have health insurance, the flu vaccine can range from about $20 to $120 out of pocket, depending on where you go and the kind of flu shot you get.

The three flu vaccinesrecommended for adults age 65and older are more expensive than those recommended for younger people. And there may be other costs, like an administration fee, on top of that. So it's important to understand your options if you want to keep costs down duringflu season.

Where can I get a free or low-cost flu shot? Depending where you live, there may be several options that provide free andlow-cost flu shots(often specifically for those whodon't have insurance).

The Vaccines for Children Program To qualify for thisfederally funded program, a child must be under 19 years old and any of the following:

• Uninsured
• Underinsured
• Medicaid eligible
• American Indian
• Alaska Native

Vaccines provided by Vaccines for Children (VFC) are free, but there may be an administration or office-visit fee. Contact your localVFC coordinatorto find healthcare professionals who work with the program. Or, you can visit a public health clinic,federally qualified health center, or rural health clinic to get vaccines through VFC.

Local health centers Localhealth centersmay provide free or low-cost flu vaccines in addition to other primary healthcare services to vulnerable individuals, such as those in public housing or veterans.

You'll have to check with your center about requirements for receiving free or low-cost flu shots because they can vary from place to place. For example,San Franciscooffers free flu shots to those who are unable to afford the vaccine.Houston, on the other hand, provided shots to uninsured and underinsured people on a sliding pay scale, ranging from free to $15. TheTexas Adult Safety Net Programprovides vaccines to adults without insurance for a small fee, typically up to $25.

You can find local health centers through theHealth Center Program website.

Nonprofit organization voucher programs Nonprofit organizations may provide vouchers for free or low-cost flu shots. Requirements likely will vary from program to program. But these are typically meant for those who cannot otherwise afford the shot.

During the pandemic, theDuPage Health Coalition, an Illinois-based nonprofit, provided flu-shot vouchers to qualified families with low income.

Employer voucher programs Your employer may also offer vouchers that can be used to pay for flu shots. Depending on the program, you may redeem vouchers for a free flu shot at:

• On-site workplace vaccination clinics
• A participating pharmacy
• An in-network doctor

Requirements will depend on your employer and program. For example, AECOM's program providesfree flu shotsfor employees and their partners at participating pharmacies between September and March. Employees who go to their provider can also get their children vaccinated for free but may owe a copay for the office visit.

State health departments Another common option for free or low-cost shots is state health departments, which may set aside resources specifically for the flu vaccine or other shots.

For instance, theSouth Carolina Department of Healthoffers low-cost shots to uninsured people who are 19 or older. Children ages 6 months to 18 years old may be able to get a free shot.

A state health department may also partner with a private company or pharmacy to provide flu shots.Washington statedid this in 2020.

With each of these options, be aware that vaccine supplies may be limited. You may want to check availability.

How much do flu shots cost at pharmacies? If you're paying out of pocket, you may want to visit a pharmacy to get your flu vaccine. Many offer appointments or walk-in flu-vaccine clinics.

Here's a sample of various flu vaccines and their prices at three common pharmacies. Prices and vaccine offerings may vary by location.

Pharmacy	Flu shot cost
Walgreens	• Quadrivalent shot: $58.99 • 65+ flu shot: $108.99 20% discount for Walgreens Prescription Savings Club members
CVS	• Quadrivalent (standard vaccine): $68.99 • Standard vaccine (egg free) (Flublok): $115.99 •Fluzone High Doseor Fluad for adults 65+: $115.99
Costco	• Afluria and Flucelvax: four-strain flu shot for ages 3 and up: $19.99 • Fluad for seniors: $59.99 Pricing reflects savings with the Costco Member Prescription Program discount card, which may vary by location.

If you are paying out of pocket for your flu vaccine,GoodRxcan help you save money at participating pharmacies in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Frequently asked questions

How much do flu shots cost at H-E-B?expand_more AtH-E-B pharmacies, a standard quadrivalent flu vaccine generally costs around $40 without insurance, depending on location. If you're an older adult or need the high-dose flu shot, the cost may be around $80.

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" data-qa="ContentCalloutH2Title" The bottom line If you don't have health insurance, the cost of a flu shot can vary widely, depending on where you go and the kind of shot you need. Flu vaccines recommended for adults age 65 and older are more expensive than those recommended for younger people.

If you don't qualify for free or low-cost options like those available through local health centers or your state health department, shopping around for a lower price and using a free GoodRx coupon can help you save on your flu vaccine costs.

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