Your flu shot may be free with medical insurance or Medicare Part B. There is no copayment unless required by your plan. We also accept cash, checks and credit cards for flu shot costs.

• Standard vaccine (Quadrivalent): $40.99
• Standard vaccine (Egg‐Free) (Flublok): $73.99
• Adults 65+ vaccine (Fluzone High Dose, FLUAD): $73.99

It takes up to two weeks for your immunity to build up after getting a flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that individuals make plans to get vaccinated early in the fall, before flu season begins, and no later than the end of October.

The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccination for anyone 6 months of age and older, and our pharmacies are able to vaccinate patients as young as 3 years old in some states. Ages vary by state for pharmacist‐administered immunizations, and we are working with state and local officials to enhance our vaccination offerings across the country.

Yes. It's especially important for pregnant women to get the flu vaccine because they are 2.5x more likely to be hospitalized with the flu than non‐pregnant women. During pregnancy, the flu can escalate quickly and be complicated by infections such as pneumonia. The good news is that the flu vaccine reduces maternal hospitalization by 40% and infant hospitalization by 75%. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that women who are or will be pregnant during the flu season receive the flu vaccine as soon as it is available, typically in the fall before flu season begins, and ideally no later than the end of October.

Some people should talk with a doctor first before getting a flu shot. They include:

• People who have a severe allergy to eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
• People who have developed Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine.
• People who have a moderate to severe illness or are feeling sick.

You might have some minor side effects after getting a flu shot, with symptoms including but not limited to:

• Soreness, redness or swelling of the skin where you got the shot.
• Low‐grade fever.
• Body aches.

If you feel any of these side effects, don't worry. You should feel better within 1 to 2 days. If not, please report any side effects to your pharmacist or MinuteClinic provider.

Flu vaccine effectiveness can vary from year to year as there are many different factors that can contribute to how well the vaccine reduces the risk of illness.

Yes. We have taken steps to ensure that our colleagues and all our customers, including seniors, feel safe during immunizations. That's why we have reduced the number of touchpoints in the process and implemented new guidelines in accordance with the CDC. For example, patients will be given a COVID-19 screening questionnaire and have their temperature taken prior to any immunization. They must also wear a face covering or mask (one will be provided, if needed). The pharmacist or MinuteClinic provider administering the immunization will be given special personal protection equipment (PPE), including a plastic face shield. A designated space was created for immunizations that will allow for adequate physical distancing, and the immunization area will be sanitized between patients.

While the flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, it can reduce the risk of illness, hospitalization and death due to the potentially severe complications that may occur when someone has the flu.

This season, it is likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be circulating at the same time. So it is more important than ever to get a flu vaccine in order to reduce risk from the flu and reduce the burden on our health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yes, the CDC has confirmed that patients can get any of the currently authorized COVID‐19 vaccines at the same time as the flu vaccine.

No, there is no impact on the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine if you also receive a flu vaccine because they are designed to individually help tackle their respective viruses when exposed.

No, patients will not be asked to disclose COVID-19 vaccination status at the time of receiving a flu vaccine.

You should not receive any vaccines if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 until you are able to discontinue isolation, regardless of whether or not you have symptoms. If you are unsure of when you are able to discontinue isolation, contact your primary care provider.

Typically, it would be fine to receive a vaccine if you have a mild illness, like a sinus infection. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, patients should postpone vaccinations until symptoms have resolved, even if they received a negative test, because there have been reports of patients developing the disease after a negative test.

CVS Pharmacy® patients can quickly and conveniently make vaccination appointments with a pharmacist by visiting this page, the CVS app or by texting FLU to 287898. They also will be able to complete a digital intake form prior to their visit to limit in‐person contact at the time of vaccination. Walk‐in appointments are also welcome at CVS Pharmacy throughout the flu season.

Patients can also schedule a flu shot appointment with a MinuteClinic provider or check the MinuteClinic website to see if walk‐in appointments are available in their area.

From making appointments in advance and having pharmacy patients digitally provide necessary medical information and consent in advance, to requiring necessary PPE and sanitation products during the administration of the vaccine, CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations are ensuring that all staff, patients and outside customers are abiding by physical distancing guidelines and safety precautions.

Because influenza viruses are always changing, the flu vaccine is reviewed annually and updated, as needed, to keep up.

This year CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic offer standard Quadrivalent (QIV) flu vaccine as well as senior dose vaccines for adults ages 65 and older.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) doesn't recommend one vaccine over another. The important thing is to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Consult your local pharmacist or health care provider to learn about your options and which vaccination may be appropriate for you.

Manufacturers create over 156 million flu vaccine doses per season and distribute them across the United States. Manufacturers send the same vaccine to pharmacies (including CVS Pharmacy) and other vaccine providers (including your doctor's office and MinuteClinic). Speak with your local pharmacist for more information.