The 2019 – 2020 flu season is here and it could be a bad one. Should you get a flu shot? There are many good reasons to…
On average, approximately 5% to 20% of U.S. residents get the flu and more than 200,000 Americans are hospitalized for flu-related complications each year. The CDC posted estimates of seasonal flu deaths from recent flu seasons in the United States, with an estimated low of 12,000 (2011-2012) to an estimated high of 79,000 (2017-2018).
If you get the flu, stay home. And if you’re in business – encourage your employees to take sick days to not expose others. It’s been estimated that the flu results in over $34 billion in lost productivity for businesses.
If you want to save money, getting a flu shot is the smart strategy. Consider all of the medicine you will be buying if you do get the flu and lost income from work if you are not on salary, or the lost personal days that would have been your winter or summer vacation. Not to mention the potential cost of doctors visits and/or hospitalizations.
Oh yeah, there’s also that whole feeling like crap for weeks matter too.
Despite all of that, only 41.7% of Americans got flu shots during the prior flu season. That’s disappointingly low, considering the cost and widespread availability. It is a smart financial decision to get a flu shot, especially since the most you should ever have to pay is $30 or less. And in most cases, flu shots are free!
Flu Shot Effectiveness Rate & Time Before it Takes Effect
I have often wondered how long it takes for a flu shot to take effect. According to the CDC’s flu.gov site, it generally takes about 2 weeks for the flu vaccine to protect you from catching the flu virus.
The flu shot effectiveness rate is widely disputed. There are many variables – age, severity of a virus in a given season, new strains, unreported cases, and even effectiveness by manufacturer – that make it hard to nail down an effectiveness rate. I’ve seen effectiveness rates reported as anywhere from 40% to 90%.
Regardless of effectiveness rate, there is no risk in getting the flu from a flu shot, so sign me up. It is recommended that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu shot. And it is recommended that children between 6 months and 8 years of age get 2 shots per season.
Getting Free Flu Shots
There are a number of places to get a free flu shot:
1. Your Employer
My employer offered free flu shots to all employees this year. They also are offering free flu shots to family members, for the first time. Check with your employer to see if they will be offering free flu shots this year and tout the potential cost savings for them to do so, if they are not.
2. Your Physician through your Health Insurance
Indirectly, through your employer or if you have a public health insurance exchange, your health insurance is now required to pay for your flu shot without any co-payment due to Affordable Care Act coverage rules (when given by an in-network provider). If you are over age 65, Medicare Part B covers the cost of flu shots. And most state Medicaid agencies cover the cost of flu shots for Medicaid participants as well.
3. Your County Health Department
Many county health departments offer free flu shots to children and the elderly. However, increasingly they are offering this service to everyone. The only downside is the potential for long waiting lines. Check out your county or cities website for more information.
The Cheapest Flu Shot Locations
If you don’t have health insurance, or an employer or county health department that offers free flu shots, there are a number of retailers offering fairly cheap flu shots for the 2019-2020 flu season. If you do have health insurance that covers flu shots, it might even be more convenient than going to your doctor. Most have online scheduling.
Most retailers do not offer their flu shot prices online, but thankfully I have a phone and made a few calls. Here is the pricing that I found (insurance acceptance varies and usual co-pay applies):
- Costco Flu Shots: costs $19.99 for quadrivalent. Costco is the cheapest on this list if you don’t have insurance. Flu shots at the Costco Pharmacy is one of the services you can get from Costco without a membership.
- CVS Flu shots: costs $39.99 for quadrivalent (varies by location, so call ahead). Get a $5 off $25 coupon for a subsequent purchase.
- Walgreen’s Flu Shots: costs $40.99 for quadrivalent.
- Rite Aid Flu Shots: costs $39.99 for quadrivalent.
- Meijer Flu Shots: costs $35.99 for quadrivalent.
- Walmart Flu Shots: costs $39.88 for quadrivalent.
- Sam’s Club Flu Shots: costs $30 for quadrivalent. Flu shots at the Sam’s Club Pharmacy is one of the services you can get from Sam’s Club without a membership.
- Kroger Flu Shots: costs $40 for quadrivalent.
- Publix Flu Shots: costs $44 for quadrivalent. Publix occasionally runs a $10 gift card promo when you get a flu shot.
- Safeway Flu Shots: costs $42.99 for quadrivalent. Safeway occasionally runs a 10% off groceries on your next visit promo.
- Target Flu Shots: costs $39.99 for quadrivalent. Note that CVS now runs all Target pharmacies, so prices are the same, but you do get a $5 Target gift card if you get a flu shot at a Target CVS pharmacy.
Note:
- Quadrivalent is designed to protect against four different flu strain viruses; two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses and is now the standard offered everywhere.
- The trivalent option not being carried yet by any retailer this year.
- In prior years, the CDC found that the nasal mist spray option was not as effective compared to the flu shot and it was pulled from the market. However, it is being offered again, in limited quantities, with disclaimers that certain populations should not use it.
- I have not listed the age 65+ high dose prices here, because everyone in this age group is eligible for free flu shots, via Medicare Part B.
If none of these retailers have locations by you, check out the CDC’s Flu.gov flu shot vaccine locator website, which will provide a map of providers near you that offer flu shots.
Free or Cheap Flu Shot Discussion:
- Are you getting a flu shot this year? Why or why not?
- Did I miss any locations for cheap flu shots or ways to get a free flu shot? Share in the comments!
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Our local county health department gives out free flu shots to everyone. I, however, am very paranoid about any sort of shot the govt. is so eager to give me for free. – Haven’t had one in 5 years.
I can’t believe people are suspicious about such a simple science that does so much good for all. (See above RE: polio vaccine). This type of attitude was prevalent in Iran when I was there. Should never be acceptable in areas where a couple of internet searches would provide clear direction from multiple reliable sources. It is a GLOBAL vaccine.
Conspiracy theorists of America, unite! Or something like that…
Maybe the County is offering free flu shots to lower costs at the emergency room later on. Sounds like, gasp, fiscal conservatism to me.
I’m not sure why you’d be paranoid. Having the flu is an awful experience. If a FREE shot significantly cuts your chances of feeling like crap for a week (and passing it onto people around you) then what’s the problem?
The problem is that the flu shot can cause guillian barre .. just google that and watch what happens I went thru this and I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. I was told by my dr to never get a flu shot the rest of my life cause that disease can come back. If ya don’t believe me then keep getting that flu shot and when u r in the hospital paralyzed for 2-3 months or dead then u will wake up and remember I should have listened to the guy on the internet. Before I got any kind of shot or anything I’d want to know if it can cause guillian barre syndrome
This is why you have a “medical contraindication” to the vaccine, and you absolutely SHOULD NOT get a flu shot. Guillan Barre is rare, but can be fatal. But since you CAN’T get the shot, don’t you want the people around you who CAN and SHOULD be vaccinated to get the shot, so you are also “protected” by their immunity. (Heard immunity, vaccinate the many to protect the few who can not…)
Google is the bathroom stall wall of the internet, that’s the problem, nobody researches actual facts and believe everything they read, this younger generation is in for a world of hurt if the believe the internet all the time
you responce is one of the best i’ve seen.. seems no one does anything anymore unless “GOOGLE” says its ok.. are we actually becoming a world of mindless robots?
Veronica, I’ll pray for you.
How useless of you.
Even people who don’t get the shots get some benefit. The people who do get the shots reduce the number of people who could potentially give the flue to people who don’t get the shots. It’s still nowhere near the protection afforded by actually getting the shots.
I suppose I’m lucky. I work for healthcare and get free flu shots simply because they are required for our jobs. I think flu shots in general are a good idea. There are a lot of myths out there about them (like the idea that they give you the flu) but they do good in general.
Tks G.E. Miller thanks where get cheap flu shots need get mine every year I suffer allergies when I get flu shot I’m ok wth allergies tomorrow going to Costco.
Thanks! Very useful info. I was looking for a list of places that offer flu shots and their prices. Your article was perfect.
Thank you for creating this list
I planned to get the flu shot when I took my kids last week, but when telling my boss she said we should offer it at work (I do HR). I made arrangements for everything, only to find out that about 65% of the staff refuse to even consider the flu shot. You would think I was asking them to do some recreational drugs the way they reacted. “Oh I don’t do that,” “That’s not for me,” etc. For the most part I wouldn’t care about this reaction, but the funny thing is that it seems the most unhealthy people are the ones refusing the shot. Guess we’ll see how many sick days they take this year…
if i was in charge of HR i would say anyone that gets a flu shot is allowed 1 free personal day. bet the entire staff would do it and cut down on the multiple call offs that last a week or 2.
Great info. Personally, I dont believe in the flu shot. I think its a myth haha. I have seen people get it and get sick, not get it and get sick, get it and be very sick or not get it and be slightly sick. I see no pattern or result that is “sure fire” with this so I avoid flu shots all together and just try to be healthy, wash my hands and avoid the sick people haha
What you don’t see is someone who is protected and doesn’t get the flu because of the protection. There is no “indicator” when it works so you never count those cases.
I had a shot one year and about 3 months later I had the flu so bad that I was on my back for 2 weeks. I asked the doctor why I got sick when I had gotten the shot. He said there were several strains of flue going around and that the shot didn’t cover them all… so I caught the one that wasn’t covered by the shot! Some years the shots are more effective than others depending on the strains they protect against. But I still always get the shot and that is the only time in the last 17 years that I have caught the flu. So I think it is still worthwhile since it is such a small amount of money (or sometimes free) to help keep you healthy!
Edgar, I have diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol. My boyfriend was certain that was because I didn’t drink enough water. I tried to explain those are not states of mind and a good stiff glass of water doesn’t fix them.
I am in medical school now. The reason the flu vaccine is not 100% protective is because there are literally 1000’s of different strains out there that are constantly evolving. The health authorities make vaccines each season for the strains most likely to infect the particular region in question. This means that if you get a flu shot in the United States that won’t necessarily prevent you from getting a strain of flu that’s going around in Asia.
It is a very good idea to get preventative vaccines. The vaccines work “better” if more people get them because of the concept of herd immunity, i.e., less people will have a chance of catching a strain and spreading it.
All the fear about vaccines causing autism in children is 100% rubbish with no proof. Vaccines are one of the greatest inventions of modern medicine and are not to be feared.
Sidney while I’m relying to last years bblog I couldn’t agree more. I am a 66 Ur old male and started taking flu shots beginning at age 65 at the VA Medical center near my home. I have not had any adverse effects and in general good health and no Rx. Its a shame as you put it that in our country that has some of the best medical care and vaccines that the herd mentality prevails. Good luck in your studies
Elliot
No…he did not say herd mentality! Herd immunity…meaning that the more people who take the shot…the less people that there will be to spread it around.
I know many people who were laid off a long time ago & finding a job has been futile. Don’t let them fool you that the economy is much better, ’cause it is NOT!!!! There are millions who are still hunting for a job! These people need to be given free flu shots, & also, those making low wages & have no insurance! I know a person with 2 little kids who can’t afford these shots at any so-called bargain. the baby has gotten the shot, but Mom & the 4 year old have not! I have searched & searched my area in Northern Indiana & there is no free or very low cost flu shots. We have no Costco, but one is coming! We have a Sam’s Club & you don’t have to be a member to get any vaccines or have your prescriptions filled. Their prices are the same as Walmart! And if you think Walmart is cheap….think again. I live on a limited income & have no prescription coverage, so, I have to call around & find the cheapest place. Believe me, Walmart has some meds that are ridiculously high! Some organizations, etc. should step up to the plate & offer free or low cost flu shots to these people or the media needs to stop scaring these people!
I completely agree with you 100%. If only we all thought the same when it came to each other’s welfare on the necessities. The world would be a better place. I believe that was the intention for all mankind.
Very true! I am in the same page with you! 🙂
I agreed with you. Dont listen to them.
Please call your county health department about flu shots. I saw that Allen County DOH is offering them to adults and children but I don’t know if that’s where you’re located. I used to work in the clinic for the Virginia Dept of Health and we administered low cost or free vaccines to the public on certain days of the week.
Bernie would have won.
Hi, I read above the Walmart is cutting down on the # of locations offering flu shots. I was wondering what the rationale was for that (i.e. not going well, risk of side effects, etc.) and if there was a link for the source that mentions this.
I used to volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps and we had flu clinics each fall. Free to the public and great emergency preparedness drills for us. I don’t know if all units do this.
I have seen this too here around Pittsburgh, PA. Several hospitals give away the flu shot and use that day as a emergency rehearsal for the medical staff.
Get the flu shot!!!!!! I didn’t last year, and got the flu ended up in the hospital and flatlined, and alsmost died. Never really recovered….. Affected my heart and lungs.
My Grandfather died at the age of 27 of the Spanish Influenza that spread through St.Louis in 1918 after the boys came back from WWI; leaving my 18 month old Mom and Grandmother who survived the flu destitute! We are such a global community now-a-days that not taking a free flu shot when offered seems incredibly ridiculous!!
Some who got the Spanish Influenza and perished, were placed in a mass grave at a St. Louis cemetery. Supposedly, the plot has never been disturbed.
Clinica Latina in Milwaukee, Wisconsin offers flu shots at $15 for people without health insurance.
I work for a hospital where it is REQUIRED to get a flu shot every year. I am actually a contract employee and do not work directly for the hospital, but it is still required. It has always been free to all employees, including contractors. Now, this year, they will no longer cover the shot for the contract workers. BUT… It is still required!! That is B.S.!
I’m glad that for every ridiculous and completely uneducated reason for not getting a flu shot that’s been posted, there are still smart, proactive, and responsible Americans who know better. Although the crazed anti-vaxers don’t realize it, the rest of us are picking up their slack and helping to protect them through herd immunity while they stupidly risk not only their own lives, but also their family, and everybody else around them.
I went to Sam’s today for the flu shot. Being older than 65 requires a stronger dose and the cost is $48 dollars. No where do they mention that of course. I decided to go to my regular physician with a 15 dollar co-pay and the shot is covered.
I’ve never heard of needing a stronger dose if over 65. Did you ask your doctor if you were getting a stronger dose because of age?
They now have a high dose vaccine for people over 65, you don’t have to take the high dose vaccine but it does offer better protection for us older Americans
Here in the UK a lot of people get the flu jab (as we call it) for free on the NHS – everyone over 65 and if you have certain chronic conditions or are under 17. Everyone else has to pay for it. I got mine today at a retailer called Asda which is owned by Walmart. It cost £7 which is around $10. Cheaper than a prescription which is now £8.05.
I got 2 years in a raw bad flu. I take flu shots every year now. I never get anything, not even a cough. Thanks for the info. I am a believer in flu shots.
It would be helpful to inform readers of the type of flu shot given along with the prices listed. Flu vaccine is available as a trivalent vaccine, meaning it protects against 3 strains of flu virus, and flu vaccine is available as a quadrivalent, meaning it protects against 4 strains of flu. The lower prices listed in your story are for trivalent vaccine. Personally, if I’m going to get a shot in the arm, I’d prefer to get a shot that will provide as much protection as possible- the quadrivalent, which will cost a bit more than the trivalent. Also there is a vaccine for those over 65 called fluzone high dose. Studies show that this vaccine provides better protection for older adults. Contact your local Visiting Nurse Association to find a flu shot clinic in your area. I’d rather get a shot from a NURSE than a pharmacist or med assistant!!
My insurance, United Health Care, will only cover the standard flu shot at 100% with no cost sharing. They will not cover the quadrivalent flu vaccine. How people are meant to know this when they go to a clinic or Target, in my case, I don’t know.
I called to check what specific flu shot was covered using the medical codes, because UHC is really good at NOT paying claims if they can help it.
First of all, to the author of the article, thank you for a fantastic resource of very valuable information to those of us who will be immunized. Great job!!
Secondly, if you are in the very small group of people who should not be immunized due to allergens, this comment does not apply.
However, if you just generally aren’t interested in going to the trouble of getting a flu shot, please think outside of yourself for a moment and consider that if you do protect yourself with a flu shot that will still, in the off chance that you still catch the flu; lessen the severity and time that you suffer from it; you are also protecting those around you from getting it! Yay you!
Consider for a moment people that you don’t know but still have a lot of access to: people at work, people on the bus or train that you take to work, etc., all of the innocent “bystanders” that you still have contact with on a daily basis: a lot of them may have serious lung diseases like COPD or Asthma for example. And by not immunizing yourself you could be putting those people with serious compromised lung problems at a higher risk through your lack of action. (I have asthma and as I’ve gotten older have been getting annual flu shots, and of course try to protect myself in other ways from contracting anything from others, but the risk is still there and trust me, if I were to contract the flu virus it’s affects on me would be very near dangerous.
So if you don’t do it for yourself, maybe consider doing it to help those people in hi risk situations that you don’t know about, with whom you come in contact every day.
(Thank you – from all of us!)
Keep healthy and happy!
I travel by plane, and make sure I’m vaccinated before I get near an airport. People short on sleep, cramped in airports and airplanes, not washing their hands… from god-knows-where… TSA patting you down, etc.
Yeah. Get vaccinated before you travel.
Veterans can receive the annual flu shot at their local VA satellite clinic or the hospital. I have never paid fee for the shot.
We get them free every year at the Flu Shot clinics through Kaiser Permanente. Yes, we are members.
Like many vaccinations, better to get a shot of dead viruses and possibly becoming a little sick than acquiring a “live” virus and becoming very sick. People just don’t like to get sick at all but a vaccination will help make your immune system stronger by introducing the virus to your immune system and after your immune system reacts to it and it should become stronger in order to handle a more deadly “living” virus later when the flu season is at its peak. It’s just that simple.
Great post! Really like how you dive into specific money issues people are having like flu shot costs and try to point out ways for them to solve it cheaply. I actually started my own finance blog recently. I’m a college student trying to help others my age with money questions. Would love if you checked out my site and gave me feedback if you had a moment! Thanks in advance.
Just wanted to say I appreciate the legwork you did to put this article together. Very helpful as my health insurance just lapsed so I will be self-pay.
I’m pro safe vaccines but concerned about the flu shot. There’s a new CDC study in PubMed that looked at pregnant women receiving the flu shot in the 2010-2012 years. Women receiving the flu shot had 2 times the number of miscarriages. Women who received the flu shot in 2 consecutive years had 7.7 times the number of miscarriages. I think that calls for discontinuing vaccinating pregnant women till more research is done.
I’m not an anti-vaxer, but I have historically opted out of optional vaccinations. That being said, I’m now 30 and I actually got the flu shot for the first time this season. I’ve never had the flu or worked or lived with susceptible populations (kids, senior citizens). My reason for doing it now is because in the last couple of years, I’ve met a few friends with auto-immune diseases (Krohn’s and Celiac’s) and I’d rather not be the reason they land in the hospital or die.
Kaiser Permanente members can get their no cost flu shots during any flu shot clinics currently going on now.
Veterans can check with the VA to see if they qualify for a free flu shot at the VA hospital or a local clinic. Also Walgreens B&M with a medical clinic now give the flu shot to vets, supposedly at no cost.
Thank you for sharing these resources! Vaccinations save lives! I’m battling a bout with bronchitis currently, but once I’m back to my old self, I plan to get my free flu shot. Mr. Picky Pincher’s insurance pays for free flu shots. Check with your provider to see if they offer low-cost or free immunizations (hint: they usually do, since prevention is cheaper than disease treatment for them).
This is the one year I have not gotten my flu shot. Low and behold, I am down for the count with the flu. It is so bad this year. I am a type 2 diabetic, not good for me to get the flu. Listen to yourself folks, no one else.
Just checked Wal-Mart it’s 58.72 for flu shot
Giant Eagle…they PAY you 5 bucks to get a Flu Shot
John Scheetz, who is GIANT EAGLE?
Are you sure Giant Eagle PAYS us 5 bucks to get a Flu Shot. Why do they pay when others are charging some money?
Is GIANT EAGLE a pharmacy? In what state is it located?
Do you have an article or website about this GIANT EAGLE FREE FLU SHOT?
I got my flu shot at my primary care doctor’s office. He’s part of a major university medical system. They have a medical assistant administer the shot, a 4 strain type.
Being on Medicare part B the cost is covered. But the part that bothers me is the university system makes you sign a paper that says if your insurance does not pay for the shot, they will charge you $94. Almost 4 times the cost of some retail outlets prices.
I usually get it through my employer. It saves me a little bit through that
The LA County Library has free flu shot clinics.
https://lacountylibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2018_FluShots_Flyer_AllLocations_English-1.pdf
This is so helpful!
I have a very healthy 80 yr old friend who believes that the stabilizers, adjuvants, antibiotics, preservatives.and residual by-products from the production process.in vaccinations cause tremors and other nervous system problems in older adults. She never gets a flu shot and is seldom ever sick. I’m 20 yrs younger than her, get flu shots and was sick twice last year! Go figure!
I’m not a medical professional. Not a nurse, a doctor, a biologist, or even a psychology major. I’m just not an idiot. I get my information from reliable sources, not blog posts and youtube videos.
That stupid video cites disproven, outdated public opinion and no actual facts. Send me a single peer-reviewed, unbiased study that was double-blind and not funded by an organization or individual with something to gain that says that vaccines cause more harm than good.
There aren’t any.
There are many in the case of the opposite point.
Taking your child to a doctor who still believes that vaccines cause autism is likely to do way more harm than a chicken pox vaccination.
Vaccinate yourself, and your kids, because the proven benefits far outweigh the legitimate risks.
As the rate of vaccine usage increases, viral/bacterial disease prevalence decreases. As vaccine usage decreases, viral/bacterial disease prevalence incleases. See recent measles outbreaks.
But as the vaccination rates increase or decrease, childhood asthma, diabetes, and autism rates increase regardless. Instead of demonizing life-saving medical practices, try to reduce your support of things that actually hurt kids. Like pollution, unheathy diets, and fear-mongering.
WRT Medicare, only those with Medicare B or a Medicare Advantage plan can get a free flu shot
So much fear-mongering. Uh, I’m a RN and I get flu shots and other immunizations and I do not know a single other RN who does not (though I do know a few will not, but I have never met them.
I don’t know the ratio, but I’ll bet it 4,000:1 in terms of lives/hospitalizations saved to a significant adverse effect and probably a million to one lives saved to a immunization related adverse effect.
This being said, it’s a personal decision, but do your research and look at evidence based data, not just “opinion” of some online expert! That’s not really hard to do.
correction to above:
I don’t know the ratio, but I’ll bet it 4,000:1 in terms of lives/hospitalizations saved to a significant adverse effect and probably a million to one lives saved to a immunization related adverse effect that resulted in hospitalization.
So much fear-mongering. Uh, I’m a RN and I get flu shots and other immunizations and I do not know a single other RN who does not (though I do know a few will not, but I have never met them.
I don’t know the ratio, but I’ll bet it 4,000:1 in terms of lives/hospitalizations saved to a significant adverse effect and probably a million to one lives saved to a immunization related adverse effect resulting in hospitalization.
This being said, it’s a personal decision, but do your research and look at evidence based data, not just “opinion” of some online expert! That’s not really hard to do.
Those on Medicare Part B – everyone 65 or older who has signed up for it – gets one free flu shot per year as part of preventive care coverage. If your doctor/ provider accepts Medicare, you should pay nothing for the shot.
And yes, there is a stronger shot (a “senior flu shot”) for those over 65. I just called my dad this morning to make sure he had gotten his. (He did!)
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/flu-shots
CVS flu vaccine is $50, concentrated flu vaccine is $70.
https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/services/price-lists
I called about 10 different CVS’s in 10 different states, and all gave me a different price. So I do not trust that.
Anyone know about free flu shots in Chicago?
Parents who refuse to vaccinate their children are a danger to their own child.
the LA county libraries offers the flu shot for free starting in October 2019. no restrictions on age.
If you have no insurance you can use GoodRX website to print a coupon for the flu shot ; type the name of medication (Fluzone Quadrivalent) adult dose 0.5ml. Using GoodRX your cost will be $23.72 at the following pharmacy’s : Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, Kroger, Publix cost is $27.72.