How to Save Money on Vaccinations at Walgreens

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the value of vaccinations in the prevention of disease. While COVID-19 shots are free, many other vaccines for adults and children are not. If you have insurance, some vaccines may be covered completely — without a copay or coinsurance — or in part by your health plan. For others, you may have to pay some or all of the cost out of pocket.

You can find many recommended vaccines at the nearly 9,000 pharmacies that fall under the Walgreens umbrella. These include Walgreens-brand pharmacies, as well as Duane Reade pharmacies, located in the New York City metropolitan area. Collectively, Walgreens and Duane Reade pharmacies can be found in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to the company, 78% of U.S. residents live within 5 miles of a Walgreens or Duane Reade pharmacy.    

While the cost of vaccines at Walgreens pharmacies varies by location, there are ways to reduce your out-of-pocket costs for vaccines through this retailer. 

What vaccines are available at Walgreens pharmacies? 

Walgreens pharmacies offer different vaccines for people of all ages. Among them are: 

• COVID-19 

• Influenza (flu)

• Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis B

• HPV (human papillomavirus)

• Meningococcal (meningitis)

• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)

• Pneumococcal

• Shingles (herpes zoster)

• Diphtheria for adults as Td (tetanus and diphtheria) or Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis); for young children as DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis — known as whooping cough), or Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) for preteens

• Varicella (chickenpox)

What are the prices for vaccines at Walgreens?

The amount you spend out of pocket for a vaccine depends on several factors. If you have insurance, you may have responsibility for part of the cost or you may not have to pay anything for certain vaccinations.

Where you live also can impact what you pay for a vaccine, even at the same retailer. For example, a Walgreens pharmacy in Alaska may charge a different cash price than a Walgreens pharmacy in California or a Duane Reade pharmacy in New Jersey. 

Here is how out-of-pocket costs compare at Walgreens and Duane Reade pharmacies in four states:

Walgreens Pharmacy: Las Vegas, Nevada

Shingrix: $199 (CDC recommends two doses for healthy adults 50 and older)

HPV: $297 per dose (depending on timing and patient health, the series is two or three doses)

Flu (high dose): $77

Flu (quadrivalent, which aims to protect against four different flu viruses): $43

Duane Reade Pharmacy: New York City

Shingrix: $199

HPV: $297 per dose

Flu (high dose): $77

Flu (quadrivalent): $43

Walgreens Pharmacy: Tampa, Florida

Shingrix: $199

HPV: $594 per dose 

Flu (high dose): $77

Flu (quadrivalent): $85

Walgreens Pharmacy: Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Shingrix: $199

HPV: $297 per dose

Flu (high dose): $77

Flu (quadrivalent): $43

What discounts does GoodRx offer on Walgreens vaccines?  

One way you may be able to save money on vaccines at Walgreens is by visiting GoodRx and searching for a specific vaccine to check its Walgreens pharmacy price. The average shopper saves 58% on the Walgreens pharmacy cash price when using GoodRx.

What routine vaccines are covered by the Affordable Care Act?

If you have insurance, you may not have to pay anything for certain vaccines. Many preventive care services are provided through health insurance plans at no out-of-pocket cost to you as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This means you can receive certain services without a copay or coinsurance — even if you have not met your deductible. Preventive care includes wellness visits, screenings, and routine vaccines.

The following vaccines for adults are covered by the ACA as preventive care:

• Influenza (flu)

• Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis B

• HPV (human papillomavirus)

• Meningococcal (meningitis)

• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)

• Pneumococcal

• Shingles (herpes zoster)

• Diphtheria as Td (tetanus and diphtheria) or Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis — known as whooping cough)

• Varicella (chickenpox)

What vaccines are covered by insurance?

Every insurance plan has its own vaccine benefits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Medicare Part D and most commercial insurance plans, including Medicare Advantage, will cover:

• Influenza (flu)

• Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis B

• HPV (human papillomavirus)

• Meningococcal (meningitis)

• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)

• Pneumococcal

• Shingles (herpes zoster)

• Diphtheria for adults as Td (tetanus and diphtheria) or Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis — known as whooping cough); for young children as DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), or Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) for preteens

• Varicella (chickenpox)

Original Medicare enrollees can expect Medicare Part B to cover vaccines for:

• Flu, including high-dose flu vaccine

• Hepatitis B

• Pneumococcal

• Treatment of a disease or condition such as rabies

If you have Medicaid, vaccine coverage varies by state. According to the CDC, some adult vaccines are covered in every Medicaid plan. 

The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides all vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for children at no cost. Individuals younger than 19 who qualify for these free vaccines are:

• Eligible for Medicaid (even if they are not enrolled)

• Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees

• Uninsured

• Underinsured

• American Indian

• Alaska native 

Among the vaccines recommended for children are:

• Influenza (flu)

• Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)

• Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis B

• HPV (human papillomavirus)

• Meningococcal (meningitis)

• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and sometimes MMRV, which includes varicella (chickenpox)

• Pneumococcal

• Polio

• Rotavirus

• Diphtheria for young children as DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis — known as whooping cough), or Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) for preteens

• Varicella (chickenpox)

Are there other ways to save on vaccines at Walgreens?

If you have insurance, check to see which preventive vaccines are provided at no cost. 

If you have to pay for a vaccine out of pocket, cost-saving options at Walgreens include:

• The Walgreens Prescription Savings Club offers up to 20% savings off the cash price of most vaccinations. The program excludes stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Washington, and North Dakota. An individual can join for $20 a year, and an annual family membership — which includes you, your human family members, and pets  — is $35.

• The myWalgreens program has replaced the Balance Rewards loyalty program, but the premise is the same: Members receive discounts and earn points on purchases that can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases.

• Walgreens coupons can save you money on select products.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Tamara E. Holmes

Tamara E. Holmes is a Washington, DC-based freelance journalist and content strategist who has been writing about personal finance, health, and health insurance for more than a decade. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications, such as USA Today, AARP, Working Mother, and Diversity Woman.

Edited by:

Cindy George, MPH

Cindy George is the senior personal finance editor at GoodRx. She is an endlessly curious health journalist and digital storyteller.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts