Key takeaways:
Adult vaccination prices can vary. The vaccine you need, the number of doses, and where you get it can affect the total cost.
If you don’t have insurance, see if your local community health center or health department offers free or lower-cost vaccinations.
There are ways to save on vaccines. GoodRx could help make your vaccines more affordable. Patient assistance programs are also available.
Save on related medications
Vaccines can help protect you from illnesses that may cause serious health problems. Most health insurance plans cover recommended vaccines, often at no cost to enrollees. But if you don’t have health insurance, getting vaccinated can be expensive.
The good news is that paying the full retail price for a vaccine isn’t your only option. You may be able to find vaccines for free or at a lower cost. Keep in mind that where you go and which vaccine you need can make a difference in what you pay.
Here, we’ll cover where to find free or low-cost vaccinations without insurance. We’ll also discuss ways you may be able to save.
Vaccine prices without insurance at a glance
Prices for adult and child vaccines vary. Some vaccines cost more than others. And you may be charged more than the cash price of a vaccine due to wholesaler markups. Keep in mind that you may also be charged an administration fee when you get vaccinated.
The chart below shows cash prices for common adult vaccines, along with the recommended number of doses. Keep in mind this isn’t a complete list of vaccine types and available brand-name products.
Type of vaccine | Brand-name vaccine | Estimated cash price per dose | Number of doses recommended | Estimated total cash price for multidose series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Influenza (ages 6 months and older) | $58.52 | 1 dose per year | - | |
Influenza (ages 65 and older) | $86.23 | 1 dose per year | - | |
Spikevax (Moderna vaccine) | $141.80 | 1 or 2 doses per year* | $284 | |
COVID | Comirnaty (Pfizer vaccine) | $169.84 | 1 or 2 doses per year* | $340 |
Shingles | $242.67 | 2 doses | $485 | |
Pneumococcal | $302.10 | 1 dose for most adults* | - | |
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) | $50.14 | 1 dose every 10 years* | - | |
Varicella (chickenpox) | $192.12 | 2 doses* | $384 | |
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) | $319.07 | 1 dose | - | |
Human papillomavirus (HPV) | $329.09 | 2 or 3 doses* | Up to $987 | |
Hepatitis A | $89.57 | 2 doses | $179 | |
Hepatitis B | $75.10 | 2 doses* | $150 | |
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) | $97.99 | 1 or 2 doses* | $195 | |
Meningococcal (groups A, B, C, W, and Y) | $251.86 | 2 doses | $504 |
*The number of doses you need may depend on your age, health conditions, vaccination history, and other factors.
In general, vaccine prices range from $45 to over $300 per dose. For a more accurate estimate of vaccination costs, contact your healthcare team or pharmacy. They can let you know what you can expect to pay, including any additional fees.
What factors affect the cost of vaccinations?
Several factors can affect how much you pay for vaccinations:
Vaccine brand: Like with prescription medications, there may be different vaccine products that protect against the same disease. Which brand-name vaccines you receive and their recommended dosing schedules can affect your vaccination costs. Before getting vaccinated, ask your pharmacist or healthcare professional which products are recommended for you and whether a lower-cost option is available.
Geographic location: Vaccine prices, like prescription medication prices, can be affected by where you live. For example, according to GoodRx research, prescription medications tend to cost more on average in Los Angeles than in Denver.
Pharmacy: Prices for vaccinations can vary among pharmacies in your area due to variations in product pricing and administration fees. Consider using the GoodRx website or app to compare prices of vaccines at different locations.
Insurance: If you have insurance that covers your vaccinations, it can help lower what you pay. But even with insurance, you may still have to pay copays, coinsurance, or a deductible.
Discounts: Applying discounts, such as GoodRx coupons, can help lower your vaccine costs. Your pharmacist or prescriber can help you explore these cost-saving options.
What to do if a vaccine isn’t covered by your insurance
If your insurance doesn’t cover a vaccine, here are a few strategies to consider:
Use a GoodRx coupon to help lower the price of the vaccine. (See below for more details.)
See if you qualify for a patient assistance program.
Talk to your prescriber or pharmacist about alternative brand-name vaccines. There may be another vaccine product that costs less with your insurance.
Request a formulary exception from your insurance company. If your request is denied, you have the right to file an appeal with your plan.
During open enrollment, compare health plans to find one that offers better coverage for vaccines.
Ways to get free or low-cost vaccinations without insurance
If your insurance doesn’t cover your vaccinations or you don’t have insurance, there may still be ways to save money. Here are five options to consider.
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1. Use a GoodRx coupon
GoodRx offers coupons for many vaccines. Search for the vaccine you need on the GoodRx website or app to compare prices at pharmacies near you.
You’ll need a valid prescription for a pharmacy to process your vaccine. This is true whether or not you use a GoodRx coupon. The good news is that, in every state, pharmacists are able to write prescriptions for certain vaccines on site using a standing order. This means your pharmacist may be able to write a prescription for your vaccine without needing to contact your prescriber.
If you don’t already have a prescription, ask your pharmacist if they can provide one or if you’ll need to get one from your prescriber. You may also have to pay an administration fee when you get vaccinated. This fee may not be included in the GoodRx coupon price.
The table below shows what you might pay for common adult vaccines with the help of GoodRx savings.
Type of vaccine | Brand-name vaccine | GoodRx price (as low as) |
|---|---|---|
Influenza (ages 6 months and older) | Flucelvax | |
Influenza (ages 65 and older) | Fluzone High-Dose | |
COVID | Spikevax | |
COVID | Comirnaty | |
Shingles | Shingrix | |
Pneumococcal | Capvaxive | |
Tdap | Boostrix | |
Chickenpox | Varivax | |
RSV | Abrysvo | |
HPV | Gardasil 9 | |
Hepatitis A | Havrix | |
Hepatitis B | Engerix-B | |
MMR | M-M-R II | |
Meningococcal (groups A, B, C, W, and Y) | Penbraya |
To save with a free GoodRx coupon:
Visit www.goodrx.com, or download the GoodRx app.
Type the vaccine name in the search field.
Click “Start saving,” or press enter.
Choose the dose and dosage form you’ve been prescribed.
Select the pharmacy you want to use, then text or email yourself the coupon. You can also print out the coupon.
Show the coupon at the pharmacy, preferably before the staff processes your vaccine. If you show it when you go to pay for your vaccine, it might cause a slight delay, because they’ll need to adjust the prescription.
You may be able to save even more on certain vaccines with a GoodRx Companion subscription. Over 250 medications are available for free, with hundreds more for under $10. The program also includes benefits to help you cut your self-pay costs, such as lower prices for online care visits, discounts on dental care, and other health service savings.
Keep in mind: GoodRx savings may vary by pharmacy and geographic location. The GoodRx website and app can help you compare prices in your area.
2. Check if you’re eligible for a patient assistance program
If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to access some vaccinations for free or at a low cost through a manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance program.
Eligibility requirements vary by program. Your insurance status, household income, and/or where you live may determine whether you qualify.
Here are available manufacturer assistance programs for adult vaccines.
| Manufacturer | Patient assistance program (with link) | Vaccines included in the program |
|---|---|---|
| GSK | GSK for You |
|
| Merck | MerckHelps |
|
| Pfizer | Pfizer RxPathways |
|
| Moderna | Moderna patient assistance program |
|
| Sanofi | Sanofi Patient Connection |
|
You can also use an online tool, such as NeedyMeds, to find out which assistance programs you qualify for and how to contact them. These tools also let you search for public and private programs that can help pay for medications, including vaccines.
3. Check with local healthcare organizations
There may be local clinics and facilities that can help you access free or low-cost vaccinations. If so, they may review your income to assess financial need. Consider these options:
Health departments
Safety-net hospitals and clinics
Campus health centers (if you’re currently enrolled at a college or university)
4. Compare prices at vaccination sites
Different healthcare professionals, such as physicians and pharmacists, offer vaccinations. But prices for vaccines can vary among vaccination sites. Some locations may also charge a fee for administering a vaccine.
Compare prices at a few locations before making an appointment to get a vaccine. Ask for the total cash price, including the cost of the vaccine and any administration fees. You can also ask whether the location offers discounts for people who don’t have insurance.
5. Tap into your HSA, FSA, or HRA
Consider using a health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) to pay for your vaccination costs. These accounts let you use pretax dollars to pay for qualified medical expenses, such as vaccination copays. This can help you lower your spending through tax savings.
Be sure to review the details for using your HSA, FSA, or HRA funds. FSA funds typically have to be used before a certain date. But HSA funds roll over and can be saved for later use. HRA funds may or may not roll over, depending on the account.
Frequently asked questions
Most routine immunizations are free with health insurance. If you don’t have insurance, you may have to pay out of pocket for vaccinations. But local health departments, community health centers, and patient assistance programs may offer free or lower-cost options.
Children who are not covered by health insurance may be able to get free or low-cost vaccinations at community health centers, local health departments, or other public health clinics. Costs and eligibility can vary by location, so contact a clinic before you visit to ask about vaccine availability and fees.
Also, uninsured children may qualify for free vaccines through the federally funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. The program provides recommended vaccines at no cost to eligible children and teens ages 18 and younger. VFC vaccines are available through participating healthcare professionals and pharmacies.
Many pharmacies accept private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid for vaccines. Certain pharmacies may also accept Tricare. But accepted insurance coverage can vary by pharmacy, location, and vaccine type.
What’s more, some insurance plans require you to use an in-network pharmacy to receive a vaccine at no cost. Contact your insurance plan and pharmacy before your vaccine appointment to confirm coverage and ask how much you’ll have to pay.
Most routine immunizations are free with health insurance. If you don’t have insurance, you may have to pay out of pocket for vaccinations. But local health departments, community health centers, and patient assistance programs may offer free or lower-cost options.
Children who are not covered by health insurance may be able to get free or low-cost vaccinations at community health centers, local health departments, or other public health clinics. Costs and eligibility can vary by location, so contact a clinic before you visit to ask about vaccine availability and fees.
Also, uninsured children may qualify for free vaccines through the federally funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. The program provides recommended vaccines at no cost to eligible children and teens ages 18 and younger. VFC vaccines are available through participating healthcare professionals and pharmacies.
Many pharmacies accept private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid for vaccines. Certain pharmacies may also accept Tricare. But accepted insurance coverage can vary by pharmacy, location, and vaccine type.
What’s more, some insurance plans require you to use an in-network pharmacy to receive a vaccine at no cost. Contact your insurance plan and pharmacy before your vaccine appointment to confirm coverage and ask how much you’ll have to pay.
The bottom line
Vaccines can be expensive if you don’t have health insurance, but there are ways to save. You may be able to access free or low-cost vaccinations without insurance through local health departments, community health centers, or patient assistance programs. Comparing prices among different vaccination sites and/or using GoodRx coupons may also help lower your costs. Ask your healthcare team or pharmacist about your savings options before getting vaccinated.
Why trust our experts?
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). About the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). Current CDC vaccine price list.
Health Resources and Services Administration Health Center Program. (2026). About the Health Center Program.
National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. (2025). Pharmacist and pharmacy technician authority.
