6 Places to Get Cheap or Free Flu Shots Without Insurance (2024)

As the temperatures start dropping and the leaves start falling, many people are looking forward to pumpkin spice, Halloween and the winter holidays. But along with colder weather comes something much less fun: winter illness. Yep, flu season is, once again, upon us.

Getting the flu vaccine is important to protect yourself from the flu while lessening the likelihood of severe illness if you do catch it.

The good news: Getting vaccinated doesn’t have to be expensive. Here’s where to get a flu shot for cheap or free — plus where you could actually snag flu shot deals after getting your vaccine.

Where to Get Cheap or Free Flu Shots

The annual flu vaccine can help protect you from getting the flu and reduce the severity if you do contract it.

The CDC recommends flu shots annually for everyone 6 months and older.

Although September and October are the ideal times to get vaccinated, the CDC notes that you can get a vaccine so long as the flu virus is circulating — flu season doesn’t officially end until around April or May.

If you have health insurance, you’ll likely be able to get a free flu shot. But even if you don’t have insurance, you can still find affordable — and sometimes free — options.

Ready to protect yourself from the influenza virus? Here’s where to go for your shot.

Pro Tip

Under the Affordable Care Act, all marketplace insurance plans must cover the cost of the vaccine. But check your plan for details, as some set limitations on where you can get the shot for free.

1. Local Retailers, Grocery Stores and Pharmacies

Many places you already shop offer free flu shots, and some pharmacies and stores will even throw in a special deal or coupon to save money on a future purchase.

Pro Tip

Some providers may have limited supplies of the flu vaccine, so check with your location before you go.

Just by showing your insurance card, you can get a free shot. If you don’t have insurance, you can typically get the shot for less than $50 at the following businesses:

Albertsons

If you shop regularly at Albertsons, you can get your flu shot during your next grocery visit. Appointments are available, but walk-ins are welcome as well. Plus, you’ll earn 10% off groceries, up to a $20 value, for getting the vaccine at Albertsons.

Costco

You don’t need to be a member of the warehouse club to use a Costco pharmacy. Walk-ins are welcome, or click here to book an appointment online.

CVS

Get your flu shot at CVS pharmacy or its Minute Clinic. Through Dec. 31, CVS is offering a $5 coupon off any shopping trip of $20 or more when you get a flu shot at one of its locations. Click here for the details and to schedule an appointment.

Hy-Vee

Schedule your annual flu vaccination at Hy-Vee and you’ll receive 20% off per gallon of gas. The flu shot is available at Hy-Vee pharmacies without a prescription. To schedule an appointment, contact your local Hy-Vee store.

Kroger

You can make an appointment to get a flu shot at Kroger Health’s pharmacies. Click here to book online.

Publix

The grocery chain typically welcomes walk-up flu shot appointments at its in-store pharmacies. This year Publix is also offering an online service that allows customers to schedule an appointment and sign consent forms ahead of time, which you can do by clicking here.

Publix provides free flu shots through most health insurance plans, including Medicare.

Rite Aid

The pharmacy chain is offering free flu shots with most insurance plans. You can get vaccinated as a walk-in patient or schedule an appointment online.

Safeway

Although there’s no appointment required, the grocery chain recommends filling out this consent form before you visit to get an immunization. It could really be worth your trouble for the flu shot deals. In addition to getting a free flu shot with most insurance plans, you get 10% off your next grocery purchase up to $200. Some Safeway locations are also offering drive-up flu shot clinics.

Target

Stop by a CVS pharmacy at Target — walk in or schedule an appointment. Flu shots are free with most insurance plans.

Walgreens

Get your free flu shot at Walgreens with most insurance plans. You can either walk in or schedule an appointment at the pharmacy chain. If you’re a myWalgreens member, you can earn $10 Walgreens Cash rewards on your next in-store purchase of $1 or more when you get vaccinated here.

Walmart

The big box chain is offering low-cost and free flu shots at its 4,600 locations nationwide. Find a Walmart location near you to get your immunization.

Flu shots are also available at Sam’s Club locations with no Sam’s Club membership necessary.

2. Your Doctor and Urgent Care Clinics

If you have health insurance, you can get a free flu shot at a variety of places, including your doctor and urgent care clinics.

While the shot may be free, the office visit may not be — check before you make an appointment or show up at a clinic.

3. Your Workplace

Many employers offer free flu shots to their employees each year. If you haven’t seen any emails or flyers around the office, it doesn’t hurt to ask your human resources department if your company would sponsor an on-site flu vaccination.

Getting vaccinated at work makes it easier to fit it into your schedule, which means more people in your office may decide to get the flu shot this year.

4. Your College Campus

If you’re a college student attending classes on campus, there’s a good chance your college may offer flu shots at no cost. Most times, all you’ll need is your student ID.

To see whether your college is offering free flu shots, contact the health center.

5. Community Health Centers

Community-based health centers are available in areas with limited access to affordable health care services. They provide services regardless of a patients’ ability to pay and charge for services on a sliding scale.

Depending on where you live, your local health department may offer free flu shot clinics, regardless of your insurance status. Locate a center near you by clicking here.

6. VA Health Centers

If you’re a veteran enrolled in the VA health care system, you can get a no-cost flu shot at a VA health care facility or an in-network retail pharmacy or urgent care location near you. Just present a valid, government-issued identification and this form.

Ohio-based contributor Catherine Hiles writes about finance, cars, pet ownership and parenting for The Penny Hoarder. Deputy editor Tiffany Wendeln Connors contributed.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.

6 Places to Get Cheap or Free Flu Shots Without Insurance (2024)

FAQs

Is the flu jab free? ›

It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter. You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you: are aged 65 or over. have certain long-term health conditions.

When is the best time to get the flu shot? ›

It takes up to two weeks to build immunity after a flu shot. You can benefit from the vaccine even if you don't get it until after the flu season starts. It's usually best for people in the United States to get the flu vaccine in September and October. Aim to get it by the end of October.

Does Medicare cover flu shots? ›

Medicare covers the flu shot

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers one flu shot per flu season. You pay nothing for a flu shot if your doctor or other health care provider accepts assignment for giving the shot.

When is flu season? ›

When is the “official” influenza season? Most influenza activity usually occurs from October to May in the United States even though influenza viruses have been detected year round. A new influenza season begins the first week of October and goes through the third week in May.

How much is flu vaccine shot? ›

Product price₱2,698.00
Additional options total:₱0.00
Service Total:₱2,698.00

Are flu shots free in the US? ›

Most health care insurance plans cover the annual flu shot as preventive care. Flu vaccination is often available at no or low cost to people who do not have insurance. For Children: If your child is insured, most health care insurance plans cover flu vaccination at no cost to you.

What food to avoid after a flu shot? ›

There is nothing necessarily to avoid be it food, weather after flu shot but people with egg allergy should avoid flu shot.

How long does a flu shot take to kick in? ›

Does the flu vaccine work right away? No. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection. That's why it's best to get vaccinated before influenza viruses start to spread in your community.

How long is flu shot effective for? ›

Yes, the flu shot wears off in about six months. The flu shot does not provide long-lasting protection, which is another reason we need to get one every year. When should I get a flu shot? We typically suggest getting the flu shot in the early fall, before the virus starts circulating in the community.

What vaccines does Medicare not cover? ›

Part D plans must include most commercially available vaccines on their formularies, including the vaccine for shingles (herpes zoster). The only exceptions are flu, pneumonia, hepatitis B, and COVID-19 vaccinations, which are covered by Part B. As of January 2023, all Medicare-covered vaccines should be free to you.

What flu shot is best for seniors? ›

Yes, for some people. There are three influenza vaccines that are preferentially recommended for people 65 years and older. These are Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant Influenza vaccinea nd Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted influenza vaccine.

What are valid reasons to decline the flu shot? ›

Other reasons included thinking they do not need a flu vaccine, fear of getting sick, fear of side effects from vaccination, being allergic to the vaccine, and thinking that flu vaccination is not good for you. Source: CDC, 2016.

What virus is going around 2024? ›

July 19, 2024 – CDC continues to respond to the public health challenge posed by a multistate outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, or “H5N1 bird flu,” in dairy cows, poultry and other animals in the United States.

Is flu A or B worse? ›

Type A influenza is generally considered worse than type B influenza. This is because the symptoms are often more severe in type A influenza than in type B influenza. Type A influenza is more common than type B influenza. Researchers suggest that most adults have considerable immunity against type B influenza.

What month is flu highest? ›

In the United States, flu season usually occurs in the fall and winter. While influenza viruses spread year-round, most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February. The overall health impact (e.g., infections, hospitalizations, and deaths) of flu varies from season to season.

Is it too late to get a flu shot? ›

It takes about two weeks for your immune system to create enough antibodies to help protect you from the flu. If you're considering getting a flu shot later in the flu season but are worried that it's too late to get a flu shot—if there's any flu activity occurring, then it's not too late at all.

Can everyone get the flu vaccine? ›

All persons aged 6 months of age and older, with rare exception, are recommended for annual flu vaccination. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications. People who can get the flu shot: Flu shots are appropriate for most people.

How to get flu vaccine? ›

You can have your flu vaccine at your doctors' (GP) surgery. Or you can have your flu vaccine at a pharmacy if you are aged 18 years or over.

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