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How Much Is a Flu Shot?

The cost of a flu shot often depends where and how you get it. In light of the recent outbreaks of bird flu and now swine flu, or the H1N1 virus, communities all across the country are offering ways to get a flu shot. The cost can be covered by insurance, paid for in cash or given as a public service. Look below to see the ways to stay safe from the flu.

  1. Corporations

    • Corporations often offer their employees flu shots. Business would rather keep employees at work rather than out sick, so offering a flu shot can be a cost saver. Costs range from free to being covered by insurance. Employers often pay an administration fee to have the shots given. Cash payments usually range between $20 and $30.

    Doctor's offices

    • Many often flu shots are given in your local doctor's office. If you have insurance, you will make a co-payment for your appointment. Seasonal flu shots are covered by most insurance policies. If paying cash, a doctor's visit can cost $20 to $200, plus the cost of the shot, which can be $20 to $30.

    Retail outlets

    • Big-box retailers or retail pharmacies also offer flu shots in the early fall. Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid Pharmacy and CVS/Pharmacy all offer clinics at certain dates that are subject to change and vary according to location. Check the stores' individual websites for times and locations. Insurance covers the seasonal flu. Cash payments range from $20 to $30.

    Senior Facilities

    • In many communities, local departments of public health offer flu shots to senior citizens. People 65 and older make up 90 percent of deaths from the flu, so health officials often ask seniors to get vaccinated. Medicare Part B covers the cost of a seasonal flu shot for seniors.

    Public Facilities

    • Sometimes flu shots are offered in public locations such as libraries or YMCAs or other public-access facilities in order to reach large segments of the community. These are often sponsored by a local charity or by a public health outlet and usually take cash payments to cover the cost of the shot.

    Schools, Colleges and Universities

    • Colleges and universities often ask students, staff and teachers to get vaccinated. Students in particular often share living spaces and can easily infect one another. Many colleges and universities require students to carry insurance, which will cover the cost of the flu shot.

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