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 in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months get a dose of the influenza vaccine to avoid getting sick.
Under the Affordable Care Act, all marketplace insurance plans must cover the cost of the vaccine — although some set limitations on where the free flu shots are administered. Flu shots are also free under Medicare and many other health plans. For families without health insurance coverage, flu shots from a doctor's office can be costly, and generally 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. The survey was conducted in late September at stores in the same western Ohio market area. 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 a range of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and other drugstore products in addition to immunizations.
