How to Save Money on Vaccinations at Kroger

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 more than 2,200 pharmacies that fall under Kroger's healthcare division, Kroger Health. Pharmacies are located in 35 states and the District of Columbia under the Kroger family of brands, which includes Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, Ralphs, King Soopers, and Harris Teeter, among others. 

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

What vaccines are available at Kroger pharmacies? 

Kroger 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 Kroger?

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 Kroger pharmacy in Virginia may charge a different cash price than a Kroger pharmacy in Mississippi. 

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

Kroger Pharmacy: Mount Gilead, Ohio

Shingrix: $195 (CDC recommends two doses for healthy adults 50 and older)

HPV: $500 per dose (depending on timing and patient health, the series is two or three doses)

Flu (high dose): $85   

Flu (quadrivalent, which aims to protect against four different flu viruses): $85  

Kroger Pharmacy: Shreveport, Louisiana

Shingrix: $195 

HPV: $280 per dose

Flu (high dose): $85

Flu (quadrivalent): $85

Kroger Pharmacy: Bryan, Texas  

Shingrix: $195

HPV: $280 per dose

Flu (high dose): $60.71

Flu (quadrivalent): $85

Kroger Pharmacy: Peoria, Illinois 

Shingrix: $195

HPV: $280 per dose

Flu (high dose): $85

Flu (quadrivalent): $85

What discounts does GoodRx offer on Kroger vaccines?

You may be able to save money on vaccines at Kroger through the Kroger Rx Savings Club powered by GoodRx. Those who subscribe to the membership plan receive exclusive savings on pharmacy items, including some free prescriptions, while others are $6 or less. An individual membership costs $36 per year. A family plan that covers up to six individuals, including pets, costs $72 per year.  

You also can visit GoodRx and search for a specific vaccine to check its Kroger pharmacy price. The average shopper saves 85% off of the Kroger 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 infection

• 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 Kroger?

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, Kroger’s cost-saving options may include:

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

• Weekly ads, which offer cost savings on different items on a rotating basis.

• Cash back, which rewards customers with funds that can be used for other purchases or withdrawn when they buy certain items.