The 2018 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 people 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 56,000 (2012-2013).
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 estimated that this year’s flu season will result in $15.4 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 lost personal days that would have been your winter or summer vacation. Not to mention the potential cost of doctors visits or hospitalizations.
Oh yeah, there’s also that whole feeling like crap for days/weeks thing.
Despite all of that, only 46.8% 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.
Flu shot effectiveness rate is widely disputed. There are many variables – age, severity during that year, new strains, unreported cases, and even effectiveness by manufacturer – that make it hard to nail down an effectiveness rate. I’ve seen it 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.
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 According to the Center for Prevention and Health Services, the flu indirectly costs employers about $76.7 million, on average, in missed work and other indirect costs like healthcare.
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 2018-2019 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 are not offering their flu shot prices online, but luckily 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 $22-$66.99 for quadrivalent (varies by location, so call ahead). Get a $5 off $25 coupon.
- Walgreen’s Flu Shots: costs $39.99 for quadrivalent.
- Rite Aid Flu Shots: costs $40 for quadrivalent.
- Meijer Flu Shots: costs $35.99 for quadrivalent.
- Wal Mart Flu Shots: costs $34.99 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.
- 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.
Notes:
- Quadrivalent is designed to protect against four different flu 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.
- Last year, the CDC found that the nasal mist spray option was not effective compared to the shot and it was pulled from the market. However, in 2018-2019 it is being offered again, in limited quantities.
- 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.
If none of these stores have locations by you, check out the CDC’s Flu.gov flu shot vaccine locator website, which will provide a map of locations by 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 or ways to get a free flu shot? Share in the comments!
Related Posts:
What you need to know about vaccines. Don’t do it. Learn the truth about the poisons in them from the health experts, who refuse to take the shot themselves and why.
Get educated and refuse to get vaccinated for better health.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw43QDiaDnE&feature=share
Yea, tell that to all the people that no longer get polio (hint: its everyone). I can’t believe people still believe this stuff.
Not to mention putting people with compromised immune systems at risk or pregnant women. A friend had a serious scare when she was exposed to a child with the chicken pox. Wake up, people! Some of these diseases are deadly to many among us, not to mention your own child. How bad will you feel when your child or moved one dies or gets seriously ill because you believed this hype. And believe me, it has happened.
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/medical/story/2011/06/Childhood-diseases-return-as-parents-refuse-vaccines/48414234/1
http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/09/opinion/carroll-vaccinate-kids/
And some of those vaccines are incredibly dangerous to some people. While I am whole-heartedly in favor of vaccination in general, there are some I absolutely refuse to allow my children to receive.
Yes get shots I contracted whooping cough cause someone was not immunized and suffered a broken rib, ER visit, and 3 doctor visits plus missed work!
I’ll bet your kids ride in cars. You probably even let them walk about loose in parking lots!
Hypocrites are everywhere.
What are those im.curious if you dont.mind sharing?
Damn! are you serious?! or are we as a society degenerated back into the middle ages where science was deemed heretic if it contrasted with the Catholic Church who tried to control our thoughts and bodies! Now its jusst a bunch of vegetarian Soccer Moms with a computer and blog. Anti-Science in this time and place will be the death of us, animals, plant life, planet and future.
Oh yes, I’m going to take the advice of an unvetted YouTube video over massive EVIDENCE and years of EFFECTIVE DISEASE PREVENTION that support vaccines. We don’t get smallpox anymore because of vaccines. We don’t get all sorts of horrible, deadly diseases. The “toxins” buzzword is bantered around by people who don’t understand a thing about toxicology. Heck, table salt is poisonous in large quantities, but in small quantities, sodium is an essential nutrient involved in nerve and muscle function.
Seriously, stop scaring people with this garbage. I’m a biologist with a strong background in immunology who has also worked in HAZMAT and safety. I’m also an EMT. I got every vaccine I could because I know they protect people. A baby just died of whooping cough the other day. Anti-vaccine is pro-death.
Hi Leo
Yes I agree with you.
People don’t want the vaccinations because of the “toxins”, but they put MacDonalds and diet coke into their bodies. WTF
Solly, in some things, it’s a matter of degree and the lesser of two evils. I’m diabetic so the sugar is worse for me than the artificial sweeteners.
Nancy:
The link to this article (below) explains why artificial sweeteners are NOT good for you. You are better off eating the sugar. I know this firsthand because once I stopped using artificial sweeteners my metabolic syndrome improved, I lost weight, and I could taste the natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables much better.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/artificial-sweeteners-sugar-free-but-at-what-cost-201207165030
That has nothing to do with vaccines, though.
Very well stated
Don’t consider yourself knowing everything. You still have to learn something.
Exactly ! Vaccines are one of the reasons why the average life expectancy has increased. Vaccines and antibiotics are medical break throughs that prevent the human race from dying because of a simple cold! People are freaking out over 1 out of 100,000 cases that went wrong. The perks out weigh the negative effects for sure.
Kat, you do know that “a simple cold” is a virus….actually about two hundred of them for which there is as yet no vaccine and upon which antibiotics are ineffective, right? But vaccines HAVE worked wonders on polio and smallpox.
I agree with the Biologist, along with Modern Science! It is foolish not to vaccinate unless it is contraindicated because of an allergy.
LMA- RN, BSN of 16 years
Right on!!! I can’t believe people in this day and age WILL NOT GET THEIR CHILDREN VACCINATED! Can someone direct them to what’s called SCIENCE?!
🤦🏻♀️
I am a nurse and it is very important to get vaccinations. Vaccinations have protected us from Measles, mumps, rubella (german measles) for years as well as diptheria tetanus and whooping cough The problem is now many people are listening to people who scare you about vaccinations and those diseases are coming back Children are now dying of whooping cough and getting measles People can become sterile and not have children any longer due to mumps Vaccinations have stopped viruses in their tracks for years and now with the heard immunity being broken children will die and are dying
The government is here to serve the American public and giving vaccinations for free helps the general good so that is why they give vaccinations. All vaccinations either given by the health department or doctors office are manufactured by the same companies so they are of the same quality no matter where you get them
Protect yourself and children that God our mother and fathers did not believe this information or we would still be getting Polio and smallpox in this country People are still getting polio in India and killing or paralyzing children Please read only scientific document other do not have the research behind them
One more thing to note the Lancet the journal that published the link of vaccinations with autism has only retracted one article in journals history it is the one linking vaccinations with autism because the research was poor and their is irrefutable research stating it was wrong
Those of you that do not believe in vaccinations Please read reputable medical journals that will give you the right information
Thanks
You should definitely not say outright that everyone should be vaccinated, as that is incorrect. And I’m not just talking about the immunocompromised individuals.
Do you recommend anyone who has a infant or toddler to get a whopping cough vaccine and flu shot? I have 3 grandchildren one 14 months old and two 8month old twins.
Yes, unless you have a valid contraindication to the vaccine.
You know all the Apollo astronauts who faked the moon landing never got shots either.
WAKE UP SHEEPLE!1!11!1!!1!!!1!
lol.
Any info on Sasquatch? Shot or no shot?
That is very true. The fake astronauts that did the fake moon landing never got their shots. The real astronauts that did land on the moon had had all the available vaccinations. They got most because of their military careers.
You are an insane maniac, and need to be locked up in a mental institution.
NO! Are you crazy? Do you know how many toxins there are in mental institutions? They also forcibly administer vaccines and other medications to their patients. Why would you send her to such a place?! It would be her worst nightmare come true.
Yes, because youtube is such a better educator and more well versed in this subject than people with a decade of education and countless years of experience. Ive been a Pediatric ICU nurse for 9 years. I get the flu shot and my family gets all their shots. Because Ive seen what happens when people dont. Take care of your family and dont fall into the hype because s celebrity told you to.
You are absolutely correct. People have a visceral reaction but never even bother to read the CDCs own website… and that archived one, where “issues” seem to immediately go, so they are not on the page, that’s the good read. The CDCs Vaccine Adverse Reaction Report is the read to go to. If people knew the super narrow window by which your adverse reactions are “allowed” in, then the amount that don’t make could be understood. I am totally pro-vax, until I wasn’t. I am one of the majority of “middle ground” vax people who seem to be shoved into an “either/or” group. I have skin in this game but I’m supposed to be some rapid anti-vaxxer? I did my research, using the government’s data. When you do the math, understand that specific species of virus or bacteria are what causes a disease and you see only 6 of 32 in a shot? So you vax the millions never telling them they only have a “x” chance of missing that one, yet they take all the risk. That’s not right.
And them measles vaccines? 40% of each outbreak are vaccinated people or more. You can’t out run or out vaccinate a rash like that. But you can permanently insert a virus, which when you get older or sick, say cancer or flu.. find yourself dealing with that virus which is Shingles.
Not many people give up a pension they’ve worked 16 long years towards, but shingles did that. But, oh. face palm… now we have a Shingles vaccine.
Nature overcomes and adapts. Herd immunity is a natural response that is not transferable in a chemical, injected permanently into your bloodstream.
The design of vaccines are to stimulate our immune system response.
We do this yearly with flu vaccines and we do it to our kids 75 times before they are 18. Define allergy? Overstimulated immune system response.
They now have signs on the local school forbidding you to even bring peanut products into the school.
Highly refined oils are in the vaccines as adjuncts to stimulate the immune system response. The chemical structure of this is identical to ? peanut oil.
It’s just this weird coincidence that kids are so allergic to peanuts, right?
And allergies in general are at an epidemic level, kids coming to schools with Epi pens are normal. An overstimulated immune system is a very bad thing.
The risks of various diseases v. over stimulating an infants immune system. We are born functioning perfectly. We are missing the bigger picture.
Seizures, that is my issue now. Allergies too. Overstimulate that immune system and you don’t know what will happen til it does.
and those intranasal vaccines, holy cow do not stick an agent designed to stimulate an immune system response up your nose on a direct path to a brain.
Seizures will be a downstream effect. This is in the awards in the Vaccine Court.
I recommend you read “get your damn shot” by Dr. Ben Rowley, because you clearly have no idea how herd immunity works.
Very little of what you wrote is true and Shingles is caused by the virus that causes Mumps not by the vaccine, had you gotten the vaccine and not caught Mumps you would not have gotten Shingles and had you gotten the Shingles Vaccine…well there you go
Shingles is caused by chickenpox not the mumps
Shingles is caused by the chicken pox virus. She is correct in saying shingles can indicate cancer. My mother broke out with shingles in July 2014 and died of cancer Februrary 28, 2015. Shingles is an indication of a compromised immune system. She didn’t have the vaccine. With or without, the end would have been the same.
Correlation does not equal causation.
Sadly, you, and others like you, have fallen victim to the seductive powers of “Junk Science” delivered by the modern equivalent of snake oil salesmen– a.k.a. the Celebrity-du jour.. With Junk Science, science-y sounding terms are thrown around–just enough to sound plausible–just enough to reel in those of us who are desperately seeking answers. We seek out pretty much anything that kinda sorta sounds reasonable because we would to anything to save our children and loved ones and ourselves from anything that causes harm and anything that answers “why did this happen?”. Vaccination is not the problem. Disease is.
I think you mean “health experts” with quotation marks, i.e. an assortment of cranks, quacks, flakes, idiots and the woefully ill-informed.
The consensus amongst actual medically qualified health care professionals is that vaccines work. Not only do they stop people from contracting a disease (and feeling awful, or dead as a result), they prevent that person from passing it to others might suffer even worse. You know, the young, the elderly, the very sick. Every year flu kills thousands either directly as a contributing factor to an existing condition. THOUSANDS.
Advocating that people don’t get vaccination is criminally stupid and reckless.
You are an idiot. Stop spreading lies and fears. Vaccines SAVE LIVES. I almost died from the measles as a child, because there wasn’t any vaccine then. And millions of people in Europe and the U.S. died from the Spanish Flu back during WWI. Get your flu shot!
You are an idiot–I am old enough to remember a classmate who contracted polio and lived the rest of her life flat on her back in an oxygen machine . I remember a friend who contracted measles while pregnant and whose son was born deaf. My own husband contracted whooping cough along with his brother as toddlers. I have “before” pictures of them looking so cute- chubby cheeked and robust, and then pictures taken after their bout with the disease–they looked like children you might see in a “Save the Children” ad with Sally Struthers, asking you to send just 25 dollars a month to keep these poor children alive. With whooping cough you cough so much and so hard you can’t take in enough food–my husband had permanently bowed legs, rickets, from lack of nutrients. Stop being so gullible and believing everything on the internet. Or if you do, I can show you some pictures of a beautiful bridge I can sell you for a good price!
Click Bait
My dear friend decided several years back that he was not in need of a flu shot as he was young and healthy. He got the flu. It damaged his heart. He had to have a transplant and is not having kidney failure due to the anti-rejection drugs for his heart. He wishes he had the shot. He now pleads for people to get the flu shot. Flu is a deadly disease for many. The shot has little risk of major side-effects. Get the shot or possibly face a lifetime of health problems and even organ failure…if the flu doesn’t kill you. In the past the flu has killed many people. The shot is safe and effective unless you have an allergy or sensitivity to the components. Don’t be naive or buy into the “vaccines are a plot” idiocy. Vaccines save lives. They do come with some risk but less risk than the diseases they prevent.
A lady came into the TB clinic just ranting that she wanted to KILL the person who gave her grandson TB. Then we discovered that SHE had active TB but wouldn’t take her medicine. Talk about hippocrites!
What an idiot, What a moron, believes everything he sees on YouTube, so so pathetic,
If my husband gets the flu it will kill him. Spout your stupidity somewhere else.
You are right. The Flu is caused by tiny evil gnomes living in your body. Don’t get a shot, you need to be bled to remove the negative humors from your body.
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.
Took my fourteen year old daughter to the Blount County health department in Maryville Tn 37801. We were charged Forty- Dollars
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
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.
Lots of great advice. I am lucky that the community I live in has a free flu shot event every year. Our family of 5 is in and out in about 10 minutes and there is no charge. This site also lists free flu shot events all over the country: http://www.thequarterroll.com/Lists/Free-Flu-Shots/free-flu-shot-list.htm
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.
You did not mention the different flu shot that is strictly for seniors. How much is that?
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).
I did a round of places that did no appointment flu shots today. (14 Oct 2017). Target/CVS said all their vaccines are mercury-free, but Blue Cross Blue Shield won’t cover a flu shot from them this year. The cost at Target was $26.
HEB said their stock contains mercury. Walgreens said the stuff they stock contains mercury, but some Walgreens will special order mercury-free for you. The pharmacist at Walmart said, “I don’t know but we use the same stuff as Walgreens and HEB.”
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
I just got mine done at walmart for $28
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