Jessica Sager | 

How to Get a Flu Shot for Free With or Without Insurance

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Flu season is already in full effect, and some experts worry that the 2022 – 2023 flu season will be worse than it has been in years due to low immunity levels and relaxed COVID restrictions that aided in reduced flu transmission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting the flu vaccine before the end of October to prevent severe infections but notes, “It’s important to know that vaccination after October can still provide protection during the peak of flu season.” That said, flu shots can pretty expensive if you’re uninsured — between $25 – $100 out of pocket — which is why we found where you can find free flu shots without insurance in every state.

If you’re on the hunt for free flu shots or low-cost flu shots, these retailers offer flu vaccines with some deals to ease the pain — both of the cost and of the jab. Costco has the lowest price flu shots for uninsured patients, but if you don’t live close to any of their warehouses, fear not. Just read on to find affordable flu vaccines near you.

Disclaimer: as always, The Krazy Coupon Lady’s purpose is to share deals we find with our community. This article is not to persuade anyone to get vaccinated.

 

How to Get Free Flu Shots Without Insurance Through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services:

You might be able to get a free flu shot through a federally funded health center. Their eligibility criteria is income-based. To find a center near you, use their Find A Center tool. If you’re unable to find a center near you, try your state’s public health department (see below).

 

How to Get Free Flu Shots Without Insurance Through Your Local Health Department.

If you’re underinsured or have no health insurance, you may still be able to get a flu shot for free. To determine your eligibility, reach out to your state’s health department. Here’s how to contact the health department in each state.

Eligible veterans can get a free flu shot at a local pharmacy or urgent care center.

To verify your eligibility for the community urgent care benefit, follow the steps as provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:

  • Call 800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411)
  • Select option 1 (urgent care information)
  • Select option 3 (urgent care information)
  • Select option 1 (check urgent care eligibility)

The system will verify your eligibility for the community urgent care benefit, which includes the flu vaccination. You can also call your local VA facility and ask if you qualify for a free flu shot.

Note: your state may have age- or health-related restrictions, and family members and beneficiaries are not eligible.

 

 

Free Flu Shots With Insurance Near Me

person with bandage after having received flu shot at cvs pharmacy

ACME

ACME offers free flu shots with insurance. Patients will also receive a 10% coupon off of groceries (up to $20) when they receive their flu vaccine. Prices may vary by location for uninsured patients. If you use a GoodRx coupon in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania locations, you can get a flu shot for $35 for patients under 65 and $68 for patients 65 and older.

Albertson’s

Albertson’s offers free flu shots with most insurance plans. If you’re uninsured, you can get a flu shot for $35. Patients will also receive a coupon for 10% off of a grocery purchase (up to $20). If you don’t have insurance, you can use a GoodRx coupon to get your flu shot for $35 if you’re under 65 years old or $68 if you’re over 65 years old at Albertson’s Sav-On locations in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming; as well as Albertson’s Osco locations in Arizona, Montana, and Wyoming.

Costco

Costco offers free flu shots with most insurance plans, and you don’t need to be a member to get one through the Costco Pharmacy. If you’re uninsured, Costco may offer the best deal anywhere: members can get a flu vaccine for $19.99 pre-tax, and nonmembers can get one for $24.99.

CVS

Uninsured patients can get flu shots starting at $49.99 at CVS locations. Flu shots are free for most insured patients. You can use a GoodRx coupon and save about $10. Everyone who receives a flu shot at CVS will also get a coupon for $5 off purchases of $20 or more.

Fred Meyer

Fred Meyer pharmacy locations offer flu vaccines. While flu vaccines are covered by most insurance plans, the cost of a flu vaccine may vary by location and the type of vaccine you receive if you are uninsured.

Giant Eagle

Flu shots are available at Giant Eagle locations; they are free for most insured patients, while costs can vary for uninsured patients by location and vaccine type. You must wear a mask to get your vaccine. If you use your Giant Eagle card, you’ll receive $5 off of a grocery purchase.

H-E-B

You can get a free flu shot at H-E-B with insurance or Medicare Part B plans. You can also get a flu shot with your FSA for a fee. Prices vary for uninsured patients depending on location and type of flu vaccination received.

Jewel-Osco

Flu vaccines are free with most insurance plans at Jewel-Osco locations. Shoppers will also get a 10% off coupon with every vaccination they receive from Jewel-Osco pharmacies. Patients without insurance can get a flu shot for $35 if they’re under 65 years old and for $68 if they’re older than 65 when they use a GoodRx coupon.

Kroger

Patients ages 12 to 64 can get free flu shots with most insurance plans at Kroger. Uninsured patients can receive flu shots for $90.

Market Street Pharmacy

Market Street Pharmacy locations in New Mexico and Texas offer uninsured patients under 65 years old flu shots for $35 and older than 65 flu shots for $68 with a Good Rx coupon. Flu shots are free for patients with most insurance plans.

Meijer

Meijer offers flu vaccines for free with most insurance plans and for $53.18 for uninsured patients. In Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin, patients under 65 years of age can use a GoodRx coupon to get their vaccine for $34, and those over 65 years old can use the coupon to get their flu shot for $77.

Publix

Publix offers free flu shots for patients with most insurance plans. Uninsured patients can expect to pay about $50 for flu vaccines or about $37 with a GoodRx coupon.

Rite Aid

Rite Aid offers flu shots for uninsured patients ages 3 to 64 for around $50. Most patients with insurance will get their flu vaccines for free.

Safeway

Safeway offers free flu shots for most insured patients. If you don’t have insurance, the flu vaccine will cost about $28. Shoppers will receive a 10% off coupon on groceries upon receiving a flu vaccine at Safeway locations. Patients 65 and under can use a GoodRx coupon to get a flu vaccine for $38, and patients over 65 for $68 in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, Washington, D.C., and Wyoming locations.

Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club offers flu shots for uninsured patients ages 6 through 64 with no membership required for about $48. Sam’s Club members, however, will receive a discount. Flu shots are free if covered by your insurance provider.

Related: Check out our tips for saving at Sam’s Club.

 

 

Shaw’s

Shaw’s Pharmacy locations offer free flu shots for patients with insurance, as well as a 10% off coupon on a future grocery order. Uninsured patients under 65 years old can get flu vaccines for $35, and those over 65 can get them for $68 with a GoodRx coupon in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Smith’s Food and Drug

Smith’s Food and Drug offers flu shots free with most insurance.

Stop & Shop

Stop & Shop Pharmacy locations offer free flu shots for most insurance plans. Vaccine types and costs may vary by location for uninsured patients.

Target

Target offers flu shots for free to patients under most insurance plans. Uninsured patients can get a flu shot at CVS pharmacies at Target for $49.99.

Tom Thumb

Flu vaccines are available at Tom Thumb locations. They’re free for most insured patients; prices may vary for uninsured patients depending on location and variety of vaccines. Tom Thumb shoppers will receive a coupon for 10% off groceries (up to $20) with every vaccination. If you use a GoodRx coupon at Texas Tom Thumb locations, uninsured patients can get a flu shot for $35 if they’re under 65 years old and $68 for patients older than 65.

Vons

Vons offers flu shots for free with most insurance plans. Uninsured patients under age 65 can get a flu shot for $35, and patients over 65 can get one for $68 with a GoodRx coupon in California and Nevada.

Walgreens

Flu vaccines are free under most insurance plans at Walgreens pharmacy locations. Patients will earn $5 in Walgreens rewards for every $1 spent for each vaccine they receive. Uninsured patients can expect to pay $57.59 for flu shots. Use a GoodRx coupon coupon to save up to $30.

Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market

Flu shots are free at Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market under most insurance plans but will cost uninsured adult patients under age 65 $73.76. When you use a GoodRx coupon, adults under age 65 can get a flu shot for $37.30; adults 65 and up can get a flu shot for $79.47 with the coupon. The GoodRx coupon is valid in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Wegman’s

Flu shots are free at Wegman’s with most insurance plans. Costs for uninsured patients may vary by location and type of vaccine.

Weis

Weis offers flu shots for free with most insurance plans. If you use a GoodRx coupon in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia locations, uninsured patients younger than 65 can get flu shots for $35 and older than 65 for $65.