Getting The Flu Shot At Cvs
Flu season is here and, this year, its colliding with another potentially life-threatening infection: Covid-19. That makes it more important than ever to protect yourself as much as possible by getting a flu vaccine.
Recovering from the flu and then getting Covid-19 or vice versa could be devastating, says Alexa Mieses Malchuk, MD, a practicing family physician in Durham, North Carolina.
We cannot protect you from Covid-19 with a vaccine , but we can protect you from the flu, says Dr. Mieses Malchuk, whos also an assistant professor, department of family medicine, UNC School of Family Medicine, Chapel Hill.
Not only does the flu vaccine protect you, it also protects others, she adds.
Heres what you need to know about this years vaccine, including its effectiveness, side effects, and how much is the flu shot at CVS.
Seasonal Flu Coverage And Benefits
One of the most important steps you can take to protect your health and well-being is to get an annual flu shot. Each year thousands of people are hospitalized because of complications from the flu. Thats why we encourage all our members to get their yearly flu vaccination.
Most Independence Blue Cross members with prescription drug coverage will pay $0 for a flu shot at an in-network pharmacy or provider.¹ Members will not need a referral, precertification, or preapproval to get their seasonal flu vaccine.
Whether in or outside of our service area, members should be able to receive a flu shot from in-network providers without having to pay upfront or submit a form for reimbursement.
Find an in-network provider
To find an in-network pharmacy or provider near you, log in at ibx.com.
Please note: For members who have 100 percent coverage for services in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, no cost-share should be applied for the vaccine and administration of the vaccine when it is administered by an in-network provider.
Coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable benefit plan. Individual benefits must be verified.
What Are The Side Effects Of Being Vaccinated
You might have some minor side effects after getting a flu shot, including but not limited to:
- Soreness, redness or swelling of the skin where you got the shot
- Low-grade fever
- Body aches
If you feel any of these side effects, don’t worry. You should feel better within 1 to 2 days. If not, please report any side effects to your pharmacist or MinuteClinic provider.
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Where Can I Get Vaccines I Need
You can get most vaccines at a pharmacy, doctors office, clinic or community health center. Talk with your doctor about what vaccines you may need. Your doctor or Part D plan provider can also help you understand whether your cost will be affected by where you go to get the vaccines that your doctor recommends.
Walk In Flu Shots At Costco Pharmacies
As well as booking an appointment online, you can walk in and ask for a flu shot. You may have to wait a while, depending on the availability of a staff member to administer your flu shot.
To speed up your visit, you could go online beforehand and download the Immunization Consent Form from the Costco website.
You will again need to take a valid ID and Medicare Part B insurance with you to your appointment.
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How Much Do Vaccines Cost At Cvs
Here are the retail costs for several in-demand vaccines at CVS Pharmacy:
| In-demand vaccines | |
|---|---|
| Tdap | $77 |
If you live in an area that has both CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic, compare prices and insurance coverage. You may be able to get a slightly better price by shopping around. You may also be able to ask one store to match the price of the other.
Which Medicare Services Cover Flu Shots
Flu shots are covered under Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, so long as your provider or pharmacy is one that accepts Medicare payment.
Because Medicare Advantage plans must offer at least the same coverage as Original Medicare, your Medicare Advantage plan also covers flu shots once a flu season. Private health plans may not require that you get a referral to receive the flu shot, but they may require that you receive the shot within your planâs network of providers. Like Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans cover the full cost of the flu shot. Overall out-of-pocket costs such as premiums and deductibles may vary for these plans, but the deductible does not apply in this situation, if the plan has one.
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Tips For Getting Vaccinated At The Pharmacy
You’ll no doubt remember if you’re due for your annual flu shot. But for other vaccinations, it’s a good idea to check with your physician about what immunizations are recommended for you based on your age and medical history.
Pharmacists in all states are allowed to administer a long list of vaccinations, but state laws varyfor example, you can’t get hepatitis vaccines at the pharmacy in New York. Also, in some states, certain vaccines require a doctor’s prescription. When in doubt, check with your pharmacist.
According to Catizone, the following tips can help getting your vaccinations at the pharmacy go smoothly:
How To Save Money On Vaccines
If youre uninsured or having trouble paying for your vaccines, talk to your CVS pharmacist.
GoodRx offers discounts on vaccines as well as medications. You can print or show the CVS pharmacist a GoodRx coupon. For the shingles vaccine Shingrix, for example, you can save as much as 22% off the average retail price. Another GoodRx coupon can help save as much as 36% off a Tdap vaccine.
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What Is The Pneumonia Vaccine
There are currently two types of pneumococcal vaccines that cover different strains of a common type of bacteria that can lead to pneumonia. This type of bacteria poses risks for young children but can also be risky for those who are older or have compromised immune systems.
The two vaccines are:
- pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
- pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
According to recent data, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommend that people who are 65 and older should get the Pneumovax 23 shot.
However, both vaccines may be needed in certain circumstances when there is greater risk. These situations can include:
- if you live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- if you live in an area with many unvaccinated children
- if you travel to areas with a large population of unvaccinated children
Here is a comparison between the two available vaccines:
| PCV13 | |
|---|---|
| Protects against 13 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae | Protects against 23 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae |
| No longer routinely given to people 65 and older | One dose for anyone 65 years and older |
| Only given if you and your doctor decide it is needed to protect you from risk, then one dose for those 65 and older | If you were already given PCV13, you should get PCV23 at least 1 year later |
Pneumonia vaccines can prevent serious infections from the most common strains of pneumococcal bacteria.
Possible side effects
Is There A Difference Between The Flu Vaccine That I Get At My Doctor’s Office Vs Cvs Pharmacy
Manufacturers create over 156 million flu vaccine doses per season and distribute them across the U.S. Manufacturers send the same vaccine to pharmacies and other vaccine providers . However, all types of vaccinations might not be available at all CVS Pharmacy locations.
Flu shots available when immunizing pharmacist or MinuteClinic health care provider is on duty, while supplies last. Age restrictions apply. Eligible patients will not pay any co-payments unless otherwise required by their plan, including Medicare Part B.
This information should be used for general education purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Neither CVS Pharmacy, Inc., its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this information.
Flu shots available when immunizing pharmacist or MinuteClinic health care provider is on duty, while supplies last. Age restrictions apply. Eligible patients will not pay any co-payments unless otherwise required by their plan, including Medicare Part B.
This information should be used for general education purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Neither CVS Pharmacy, Inc., its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this information.
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Why Are Flu Shots So Important For The Elderly
Those individuals at who are at the greatest risk from catching the flu are
- children less than 5 yrs old
- individuals suffering from certain existing health conditions
90% of all flu-related deaths and 60% of flu-related hospital stays in the United States are people over 65 years old.
To prevent and protect against this, getting a flu shot done each year is one of the best measures available.
Flu shots are available in both a regular strength doses, and in a high strength dose which is usually recommended for the elderly.
The source for the information above is: NCOA Center for Benefits Access Vaccines: What Medicare pays forwhich you can read here.
As an elderly person ages, they become increasingly likely to catch the flu if they come into in contact with the influenza virus.
Compounding this is the fact that, the older an individual is, the greater the chance that they may go on to develop a serious complication, such as pneumonia, from the flu virus.
If the person has underlying health conditions, they can put a person at increased risk of even greater complications from flu the flu virus.
Underlying conditions which can put a person at greater risk from the flu virus include
- or walk in to Costco and ask for a flu shot
How Much Is A Flu Shot At Cvs
To get a flu shot, visit any CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic with or without an appointment. You can make an appointment at the CVS website, using the CVS app, or by texting FLU to 287898. You can answer questions online and youll get a confirmation email which has a link you can use to check in once you get to the store.
CVS also accepts walk-in patients, but check with individual stores to confirm. The vaccine is available at no cost through most insurance plans, including Medicare B. If youre uninsured, the seasonal flu shot will cost you $31.99.
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Does A Person With Medicare Get Flu Shots For Free
If a person has Medicare Part B, a Medicare Advantage plan, or private health insurance, they can get a flu shot for free.
The Affordable Care Act requires that insurance companies cover the cost of the flu shot. Plus, under the ACA, insurers cannot charge a copayment, per the Department of Health & Human Services.
A person should check with the site providing the shot to make sure they accept assignment from Medicare or accept Medicare Advantage. People with private insurance should check their plan to make sure they can get the shot from a particular location for free.
Some insurance plans cover the shot only if a person receives it from their doctor. Other plans provide coverage if the shot comes from certain other locations as well.
Faq Does Chp Cover Flu Vaccinations And Where Can I Get One
Does CHP cover flu vaccinations, and where can I get one?
Yes. Flu vaccines can be obtained by calling your primary care physicians office, visiting your local health department within our Service Area, or at retail pharmacies in our network if you have a prescription benefit.
Retail pharmacy vaccination programs apply to adults 18 years of age and older. Patients under the age of 18 should see their primary care physician for the flu vaccine.
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Does Medicare Cover Flu Shots At Cvs
The flu vaccine is even more important for our elderly loved ones in this the year of the coronavirus pandemic. Do make sure that your loved ones get vaccinated, as flu alone can be deadly, and it will help slow down community spread to other elderly and vulnerable persons.
Medicare Part B covers a flu shot at CVS, and there is no deductible or coinsurance to pay. CVS is Medicare-enrolled and accepts assignment, meaning you will have nothing to pay. CVS should bill Medicare directly. Medicare covers one flu shot per flu season only.
Saving On Pharmacy Vaccinations
Just like at your doctors office, pharmacies that offer vaccinations will file with your insurance.
Many vaccinations wont cost you anything if you have a private insurance plan through your employer or that you purchased on a state marketplace. Under the Affordable Care Act, private plans are required to fully cover the cost of recommended vaccinations for adults and children as preventive medical care.
Unfortunately, Medicare doesnt do as good of a job of covering recommended immunizations. Only flu, pneumonia, and hepatitis B vaccines are fully covered under Medicare Part B. Other vaccinations are treated like prescription drugs and are covered under Medicare Part D or Advantage plans. That means youll be responsible for paying any co-pays and deductibles required by your prescription drug plan.
If youre paying out of pocket, shop around to find the lowest price. When we checked, we found the lowest prices without insurance at Costco. For example, Pneumovax pneumonia vaccine cost $110 at CVS and Target, but just $97 at Costco pharmacies. And the dual Hepatitis A and B vaccine costs $145 at CVS, $150 at Walgreens , and $93 at Costco.
Another option if you are uninsured or paying out of pocket is to check with statewide free health clinics and community health centers, which offer free or low-cost preventive care and low-cost vaccinations. Find a clinic near you.
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Where Can I Get Free Flu Shots Near Me
Its best to get a flu shot before the end of October. It can still be beneficial to receive later in the season, but you have a higher chance of being exposed before the shot can become effective. In other words, dont wait too long! Check the list below, and go get one ASAP to avoid getting sick. You can also use Vaccine Finder to locate a pharmacy, healthcare provider, health department, or clinic offering the flu shot near you.
Medicare Coverage For The Pneumonia Vaccine
Most preventive vaccines are covered under Part D, the prescription drug part of Medicare. Medicare Part B covers a few specific vaccines, like the two pneumonia vaccines. Medicare Advantage plans, sometimes called Part C, also cover the pneumonia vaccines, along with other vaccines you may need.
If you are enrolled in original Medicare , or a Part C plan, you are automatically eligible for the pneumonia vaccines. Since there are two types of vaccines for pneumonia, you and your doctor will decide if you need one or both vaccines. Well get into the details of the two different types a little later.
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Meningococcal Vaccine Also Available
A meningococcal vaccine is not recommended for all adults. This vaccine may be recommended for you if you have certain risk factors due to your age, health, job, or lifestyle. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if you need this vaccine.
This vaccine is available through local pharmacies as well as in a doctors office.
What Types Of Vaccines Are Available
There is more than one flu shot, so it can be challenging to decide which one to get. Flu shots are by far the most common flu vaccine available, although there is also a nasal spray. You can get the spray if youre healthy, between the ages of 2 to 49, and if you arent pregnant.
Almost all vaccines this year are quadrivalent, which means they protect against four different strains of the flu virus. Its important that you get a new flu vaccine every year. Thats because the specific virus strains change every year. Last seasons vaccine wont protect you against this seasons virus.
CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinics are offering the standard quadrivalent flu vaccine as well as the high-dose flu vaccine, which is for adults 65 and over.
Adults 18 and older who are allergic to eggs can also get the Flublok quadrivalent, says Linda Molaka, pharmacy manager at CVS Pharmacy. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which is best for you.
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Why You Should Get A Flu Shot
Getting your annual flu shot is especially important if youre 65 or older because seniors tend to get sicker from the flu compared to younger adults.
During a typical flu season, people 65 years and older account for 70 percent to 85 percent of flu-related deaths and more than half of flu-related hospitalizations, according to the CDC.
The CDC recommends people get a flu shot by the end of October.
Getting a flu shot too early such as in July or August can reduce the vaccines effectiveness later in the flu season, particularly for older adults.
Flu symptoms often mirror those of COVID-19.
Common flu symptoms include:
- Headache
- Runny or stuffy nose
Getting the flu or COVID-19 can be serious, but getting both can be deadly especially for older Americans.
Medicare also covers the coronavirus vaccine at no cost to you. You can get vaccinated for both COVID-19 and the flu but not at the same time.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccines should be given alone with at least 14 days either before or after you get any other vaccine, including the flu shot.
Flu shot side effects are typically temporary and mild.
Flu shot side effects may include:
- Pain, redness or swelling around the injection site
- Tiredness