Give It a Shot
Peak time for seasonal flu in the United States generally falls in January or February, but activity can erupt as early as October. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over 6 months get a flu shot, but experts say it's even more important this year as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage across the country.
Under the Affordable Care Act, all marketplace insurance plans must cover the cost of the vaccine — although some set limitations on where free flu shots are administered. Flu shots are also free under Medicare and many other health plans. For families without health insurance, flu shots from a doctor's office can be costly, and cheaper trivalent vaccines have all but disappeared in favor of quadrivalent vaccines, which protect against four strains of influenza instead of three.
To find the cheapest place to get a flu shot, Cheapism checked vaccination prices at some of the country's largest pharmacy chains, as well as Costco and Sam's Club, which are known for low prices and allow non-members to use their pharmacies. Note that prices, services, and availability may vary by location.
Check out our full comparison of the biggest chain pharmacies, including Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, and more, to compare prices on other vaccines, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and personal care items.
