How to Save Money on Vaccinations at Walmart

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 other vaccinations, you may have to pay some or all of the cost out of pocket.

You can find many recommended vaccines at more than 5,100 Walmart pharmacies across the country. Walmart pharmacies are located in the District of Columbia and all states except North Dakota.

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

What vaccines are available at Walmart pharmacies? 

Walmart 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 Walmart?

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 Walmart pharmacy in California may charge a different cash price than a Walmart pharmacy in Iowa. 

Here is how out-of-pocket costs compare at Walmart pharmacies in four states:

Walmart Pharmacy: Quincy, Massachusetts

Shingrix: $200 (CDC recommends two doses for healthy adults 50 and older)

HPV: $273 per dose (depending on timing and patient health, the series is two or three doses)

Flu (High dose): $76  

Flu (Quadrivalent) $41.91  

Walmart Pharmacy: Nashville, Tennessee

Shingrix: $205

HPV: $252 per dose

Flu: (High dose) $76

Flu: (Quadrivalent) $41

Walmart Pharmacy: Paw Paw, Michigan 

Shingrix: $205.90

HPV: $243.03 per dose

Flu (High dose): $76.50

Flu (Quadrivalent): $76.50

Walmart Pharmacy: Taylor, Arizona

Shingrix: $205.90

HPV: $187.68 per dose

Flu (High dose): $76.50

Flu (Quadrivalent): $76.50

What discounts does GoodRx offer on Walmart vaccines?

You may be able to save money on vaccines at Walmart through GoodRx, which offers exclusive discounted pricing for:

• MMR vaccine

• Pneumococcal vaccine (Prevnar 13)

• Pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax 23)

To access the special Walmart pricing, visit the GoodRx coupon pages for MMR, Prevnar 13,  and Pneumovax 23. You also can visit GoodRx and search for a specific vaccine to check its Walmart price.

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 

The vaccines recommended for children include:

• 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 Walmart?

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

If you have to pay for a vaccine out of pocket, Walmart’s cost-saving options include:

• Walmart coupons, which could provide discounts on certain vaccines.

• Walmart's app, which provides notifications of storewide savings.

• Walmart’s membership program, which offers discounts on items including pharmacy offerings.

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.

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