Flu, COVID, and RSV Shots in 2026-27: What They Cost and How to Pay Less

Cash prices for fall vaccines range from about $22 to more than $370. Here is what each shot costs without insurance, who pays $0, and where uninsured adults can find free or low-cost shots.

The Short Answer

Most people with insurance or Medicare pay $0 for a flu shot. Without insurance, the price depends heavily on where you go. One published price check in October 2026 found a standard flu shot for $99 at CVS and a Flucelvax shot for $21.99 at Costco. COVID and RSV shots cost far more. A COVID shot at CVS costs $278.99 without insurance this season, according to a KQED report. RSV shots average about $361 to $374 at retail.

The gap between the cheapest and most expensive option for the same flu shot is more than $75. A five-minute phone call or price check can save real money.

Flu Shot Prices Without Insurance

No single national cash price exists for a flu shot. Pharmacies set their own prices, and the price can change during the season. The figures below come from a published price index that checked each listing on October 17, 2026.

Source: FluShotsNearMe.com price index, checked October 17, 2026. Call your local store to confirm the price before you go.

High-dose and adjuvanted flu shots for adults 65 and older usually cost more than standard shots. Most people in that age group have Medicare, so the cash price rarely applies to them.

COVID Shot Prices for 2026-27

The FDA approved updated COVID vaccines in early September 2026. The new shots target the XFG strain. CVS and Walgreens stocked them first, and doctors' offices followed in later weeks.

The cash price rose sharply this year. KQED reported a CVS out-of-pocket price of $278.99, up about 40% from $198.99 last season. If you plan to pay cash, ask your local health department and community health centers about lower-cost options first.

Recommendations Changed This Year

As of September 2026, the CDC had not issued formal COVID vaccine guidance for the season, according to KQED. Several states now publish their own recommendations. California, for example, strongly recommends the shot for adults 65 and older, people with risk factors, pregnant and postpartum people, and young children 6 to 23 months.

This matters for your wallet. Insurance coverage often follows official recommendations. Before you book a COVID shot, call your plan and ask two questions. Is the shot covered at $0? Is the pharmacy in your network?

RSV Shot Prices

Three RSV vaccines are available for adults: Arexvy, Abrysvo, and mRESVIA. RSV shots are given once, not every year, so most adults need only one dose. GoodRx listed these average retail prices in August 2026:

• Arexvy: about $374 (about $327 with a GoodRx coupon)
• Abrysvo: about $362 (about $326 with a coupon)
• mRESVIA: about $374 (about $321 with a coupon)

Adults 75 and older, adults 50 to 74 at higher risk of severe illness, and pregnant people are the groups most likely to benefit. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether an RSV shot makes sense for you.

Who Pays $0

Many people pay nothing for these vaccines. Check whether you fall into one of these groups before you pay cash.

• Medicare Part B covers the flu shot and the COVID shot with no cost to you when the provider accepts Medicare assignment.
• Medicare Part D covers the RSV shot with no out-of-pocket cost. Get it at a pharmacy in your Part D plan's network.
• Most private and Marketplace plans cover recommended vaccines at $0 at in-network providers. An out-of-network pharmacy can still charge you.
• Children 18 and younger who are uninsured, underinsured, or on Medicaid can get vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program. The vaccine is free, but some offices charge an administration fee. Ask whether the office waives that fee.
• Medicaid covers recommended adult vaccines in every state.

Options for Uninsured Adults

Uninsured adults have the hardest time with vaccine costs. These options can cut the price or remove it completely.

1. Call your local health department. Many health departments run free or low-cost flu clinics each fall. Eligibility rules vary by county.
2. Check a community health center. Federally funded health centers charge on a sliding scale based on income. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
3. Compare warehouse clubs. Costco's published flu shot price is often the lowest retail price. In many states, you do not need a membership to use the Costco pharmacy.
4. Ask about workplace clinics. Many employers offer free flu shots on site, even for part-time staff.
5. Watch for store rewards. Some chains give a shopping reward with a flu shot. A reward is not a discount on the shot itself, so compare the actual price.

Timing Tips

Flu season usually peaks between December and February. Get your flu shot by the end of October if you can, but a later shot still helps. Your body needs about two weeks to build protection after a shot. Some children under 9 who get a flu shot for the first time need two doses, given at least four weeks apart. Ask your child's doctor.

You can get a flu shot and a COVID shot at the same visit. That saves a second trip and, for cash payers, sometimes a second administration fee. Ask the pharmacist whether combining shots makes sense for you.

How These Shots Compare

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a prescription for a flu shot at a pharmacy?

Adults usually do not need a prescription for a flu shot at a pharmacy. Rules for children and for some other vaccines vary by state and by pharmacy. Call ahead or check the pharmacy's online booking page.

Is the cash price the same at every store in a chain?

Not always. Prices can vary by location and can change during the season. Confirm the price with the store where you plan to go.

Can I use a discount card for vaccines?

Some discount cards show coupon prices for RSV vaccines and other shots. Flu shot pricing usually comes from the pharmacy's own posted price. Ask the pharmacist whether a discount card lowers the price.

Do Medicare Advantage plans cover these vaccines?

Yes. Medicare Advantage plans must cover the vaccines that Original Medicare covers. Most plans require you to use an in-network pharmacy or provider. Call the number on your plan card to confirm before your visit.

The Bottom Line

If you have Medicare, Medicaid, or most private insurance, your fall vaccines should cost nothing at an in-network provider. Confirm the network before you book. If you pay cash, the price of the same flu shot can differ by more than $75 between stores, so compare first. Uninsured adults should start with the local health department and community health centers before they pay retail.

Vaccine recommendations and coverage rules changed this year and may change again. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which shots fit your age and health, and ask your insurer what it covers.