Walgreens Flu Vaccine Appointments Near You

You can schedule a Walgreens flu shot appointment online with any Walgreens Pharmacy. Scheduling an appointment will let you answer screening questions and enter your insurance or GoodRx coupon info in advance, so you can be in and out faster. You can also schedule a vaccine appointment by calling your local pharmacy or 1-800-WALGREENS (1-800-925-4733).

If you decide to get your flu vaccine while you’re already out and about, walk-ins are also welcome. Find your nearest Walgreens or visit the Walgreens flu page for more information.

Why should you get a flu shot at Walgreens?

Walgreens offers both pre-scheduled and walk-in flu vaccinations. Here are just a few of the reasons to get vaccinated at Walgreens:

• Many convenient locations: With thousands of locations across all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, you can easily find a location near you.

• Earn discounts on in-store purchases: With MyWalgreens, you can get a coupon for 20% off a purchase of $20 or more when you get a vaccine (up to $100).

• Take your whole family to be vaccinated at one place: Walgreens offers flu shots for anyone age 3 years and older in most states.

• Trained immunizers: Your flu shot will always be given by a licensed pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or trained technician in all Walgreens pharmacies.

• Stay up to date on all of your vaccinations: Your Walgreens pharmacist can help make sure you’re getting all the vaccines appropriate for your needs, including a COVID-19 vaccine.

Can you get a free flu shot at Walgreens?

There are many ways to receive a flu vaccine at no out-of-pocket cost. If you have commercial insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare, your plan will likely fully cover your vaccination. Veterans and those with coverage through the Affordable Care Act are also eligible to receive a free flu shot at participating pharmacies.

There are also other ways to save on a Walgreens flu shot. Prices may vary, but if you don’t have insurance or you’re underinsured, GoodRx can help you save:

• FluMist: $29

• Fluarix: $31

• Fluzone: $32

• Afluria: $42

• Flublok: $42

• Flucelvax: $45

• FluLaval: $52

• Fluad: $76

• Fluzone High-Dose: $76

If you don’t have insurance, you may still be able to get a free flu vaccine at your local health center or through your state health department. Free vaccinations for children under the age of 19 are also available through the Vaccines for Children program.

Keep in mind: Not all Walgreens locations carry every flu vaccine. They typically just carry a few brands at a time. Your local Walgreens Pharmacy can tell you what they currently have in stock.

When to get your flu shot

The flu season is unpredictable. It can begin as early as October and last as late as May. And it takes 2 weeks after your flu shot for the vaccine to be fully effective. So it’s best to get your flu shot in September or October, according to the CDC.

Good to know: It’s fine to get a flu shot well after flu season has started. Getting a flu shot is still beneficial as long as flu viruses are circulating, even into January and beyond.

CDC recommendations for the flu shot

The CDC recommends that most people age 6 months and older get a flu vaccine. This also applies if you’re pregnant, 65 years and older, or have a weakened immune system.

The CDC also recommends:

• Parents and caregivers in particular need a flu shot to help protect children and care receivers who may be at a higher risk for flu-related complications.

• Your flu shot doesn’t just increase the odds that you’ll stay well during the flu season. Being vaccinated against the flu also reduces your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, or death if you do catch it.

• Getting vaccinated can also reduce the risk for those around you in your community — especially infants that can’t be vaccinated yet, older people, and people living with chronic illnesses.

• There are several types of flu vaccines available to fit your needs. Some provide more protection for people age 65 and older. And some are egg-free for people with allergies.

• You can avoid a needle altogether by getting the flu vaccine as a nasal spray (called FluMist). Keep in mind that there are more restrictions with the nasal spray, and it may be harder to find.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• No insurance? Here’s how much a flu shot may cost out of pocket.

• The best flu vaccine for you: Pharmacists review the available flu vaccines and how effective they might be.

• Does the flu vaccine work? Physicians detail how flu vaccinations work and why they’re beneficial for everyone.

What else to know

Here’s a few more things to keep in mind as you schedule your flu shot:

• You can return to normal activities after your flu shot. But you may want to avoid intense exercise or sports for a day or so.

• It’s normal to have side effects such as a sore arm, low fever, or headache after a flu shot. You may also feel more tired than usual. But you should be back to normal in a day or two. These are all just signs your immune system is responding to the vaccine. It’s not possible to get the flu from a flu shot.

• Your flu shot should protect you for about 6 months. The immunity from a flu shot starts to wear off after that point. This is one reason why you need a flu shot every year.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Elizabeth Davis

Elizabeth Davis was GoodRx’s first medical editor and consumer savings expert. She hand-assembled the GoodRx drug database and researched virtually every available discount program and savings opportunity available at the time.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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