You Can Get A Shingles Vaccine Two Ways:
At the pharmacy. Youll still need a doctors prescription, but once thats been transmitted, you can get the shot at a retail pharmacy.
Most major chains and some independent pharmacies can administer the vaccine. Just make sure to use a store in your drug plans network so that it can bill your plan directly and youll owe just the copayment.
At the doctors office. If youre vaccinated in a doctors office, check whether it can bill your drug plan directly or works with a pharmacy that can do so. If so, it will work as mentioned above, with you owing a copayment. If not, you may need to pay the full cost up front and then file a claim for reimbursement from your plan.
Remember that the doctors fee for administering the vaccine may exceed your plans allowable charge, in which you case youre on the hook for the difference. It pays to check beforehand.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Jan. 1, 2014. It has been updated with the latest information regarding Medicare coverage in 2020.
We Offer More Than Just Flu Shots
While vaccine availability may vary by state, all of our CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations offer most of the vaccinations commonly recommended by the CDC, including pneumonia, MMR , meningitis, and Hepatitis A and B.
Additionally, your pharmacist is an excellent resource for information about what vaccinations are appropriate for your age group.
An appointment for a vaccination is not required, but we do recommend that calling the store first to confirm that the vaccination youre looking for is in stock.
Does Publix Give Pneumonia Shots
So we offer flu shots in our pharmacy, and we don’t require an appointment. Additionally, we offer immunizations against pneumonia, tetanus/diphtheria, shingles, hepatitis A and B, and meningitis.
Thereof, how much does it cost to get a flu shot at Publix?
Traditional flu shots and needle-free flu shots cost $30, while the intradermal flu vaccine costs $35 and Fluzone High Dose costs $60. Publix accepts cash, Medicare Part B and many other third-party insurances as payment for flu shots, the retailer said.
Also Know, does Medicare cover pneumonia shots at Walgreens? Only flu, pneumonia, and hepatitis B vaccines are fully covered under Medicare Part B. And the dual Hepatitis A and B vaccine costs $145 at CVS, $150 at Walgreens , and $93 at Costco.
Furthermore, what insurance does Publix take for flu shot?
Get a free $10 gift card with a flu vaccination at the Publix Pharmacy. Shots are free because they are covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare Part B. No appointment is necessary.
What insurance does Publix take?
Here’s a look at some of the many we accept: Aetna. Blue Cross Blue Shield Cigna.
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What Vaccines Are Recommended For Adults
The vaccines you need as an adult depend not only on your age, lifestyle, overall health, pregnancy status, and travel plans but also on who you are in close contact with and what vaccines you had as a child.
Talk to your doctor about which vaccines you need. Common adult vaccines include:
- Flu.
In some states, pharmacists can give some of these shots.
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
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Where Can You Get Your Shots And Vaccines
If you have health insurance, choosing an in-network provider or a retail clinic that participates in your insurance plan can help you keep costs lower. You can get shots from an out-of-network provider, but you may be asked to pay the full price.
If you have a CareFirst health insurance plan, learn more about what vaccines are covered in the Summary of Preventive Services or ask Member Services any questions you may have.
If you are a member of another health plan, or are comparing available benefits, ask your health insurer’s Member Services office what vaccines are covered with your health insurance.
What Kinds Of Vaccines Does Cvs Offer
CVS Pharmacy offers a full list of vaccines. Among the most commonly requested ones are:
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Influenza : The flu vaccine is offered on a seasonal basis. Two different kinds are available. Four-strain flu vaccine protects against four strains of the virus for children and adults. The high-dose or senior-dose flu vaccine is for people age 65 and older.
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Shingles: The shingles vaccine is recommended for people age 50 and older. It is given in two doses spaced 2 to 6 months apart.
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COVID-19: The long-awaited coronavirus vaccine is finally available to all adults age 16 and older starting April 19 and earlier in many places. A vaccine for younger teens and children is expected later this year.
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Tdap: The CDC recommends the combination tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine for adolescents and adults every 10 years to protect against all three infections.
Each state has its own age requirements and other vaccine restrictions, so be sure to check your local stores rules before heading to CVS.
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Getting Shots And Vaccines With Your Health Insurance
Vaccines are important for protecting you from preventable diseases like measles, meningitis, and the flu. Vaccines prepare your immune system to fight diseases without making you sick, so that when you’re exposed to the real thing, you can save your days off of work for something more fun than lying in bed with a splitting headache and a burning throat.
How Do I View My Minor Childs Vaccinationrecords
Check your email for the COVID-19 vaccination recordif both the following conditions apply:
- The minor was vaccinated at CVS Pharmacy®
- An email address was provided at scheduling/check-in
A record of the vaccination should have been immediately sent tothat address. It would have been sent from with a subject line of âFor Your Records.â
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I Got A Pneumonia Shot And Then The Pain Began
Last December during a routine physical exam, I received a vaccination to protect against several strains of pneumonia. It hurt, more so than the usual injection. In the days that followed, the pain in my left shoulder worsened. Initially, I dismissed it as typical post-shot soreness. But it didnt go away.
All these months later, it still hurts. My orthopedist says I have subacromial bursitis, which is chronic inflammation and excess fluid buildup in the bursa separating the acromion bone at the top of the shoulder from the rotator cuff.
Im convinced this occurred because the nurse injected the vaccine too high on my arm. I had no symptoms before the shot, and pain has persisted since. The needle probably entered the top third of the deltoid muscle which forms the rounded contours of the shoulder and probably went into the bursa or the rotator cuff, instead of lower down, into the middle part of the muscle, missing the bursa and rotator cuff entirely. I say probably because I wasnt watching. Like many, I avert my eyes at the sight of an approaching needle.
Symptoms from such mishaps known as SIRVA, for shoulder injury related to vaccine administration include chronic pain, limited range of motion, nerve damage, frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tear.
A third of the patients needed surgery, some of them twice.
There is no single way to treat shoulder injuries, regardless of how they occur. Treatments that work for some may not work for others.
The Ratcheting Price Of The Pneumococcal Vaccine: What Gives
Every November, like clockwork, she gets the same letter, said Dr. Lindsay Irvin, a pediatrician in San Antonio.
Its from the drug company Pfizer Inc., and it informs her that the price tag for the pneumococcal vaccine Prevnar 13 is going up. Again.
And it makes her angry.
Theyre the only ones who make it, she said. Its like buying gas in a hurricane or Coke in an airport. They charge what they want to.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices , a consultatory panel to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommends Prevnar 13 for all children younger than 2 given at 2, 4, 6 and 15 months as well as for adults 65 and older.
It protects against pneumonia as well as ear and other infections. Many states require proof that children have received the vaccine in order to attend school.
The vaccines formulation has remained mostly unchanged since its 2010 federal approval, but its price continues creeping up, increasing by about 5 or 6 percent most years. In just eight years, its cost has climbed by more than 50 percent.
It is among the most expensive vaccines Irvin provides her young patients.
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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.
Customers Of Most Age Groups Can Receive Vaccinations In Our Stores

At CVS Pharmacy, vaccinations are available for adolescents, adults and seniors, while at MinuteClinic, children as young as 18 months can receive certain vaccinations. Call your nearest location to talk to the pharmacist about what vaccinations are right for your age group and whats available at that location.
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What About The Pneumonia Vaccine
Prevnar 13 is a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria.
Pneumovax 23 is a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine that protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria.
Once vaccinated, most healthy adults develop protection to most or all of these types within two to three weeks.
Talk To Your Pharmacist Or Nurse Practitioner Prior To Your Vaccination
Before administering your vaccination, the immunizing pharmacist or nurse practitioner will want to know about any medical conditions you might have, any previous reactions to vaccines, and your medication history if you fill your prescriptions at another pharmacy. They will also be able to advise on any side effects that may result from your vaccination.
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Who Shouldnt Get Prevnar 20
People who have had a severe allergic reaction in the past to any of the vaccines ingredients including diphtheria protein should not receive Prevnar 20. People who are 17 years or younger also shouldnt receive this vaccine.
At this time, the FDA didnt place any other restrictions on who can receive Prevnar 20. If youre unsure if you should receive this vaccine, your healthcare provider can give you more information.
How Much Does Pneumovax 23 Cost With Insurance
Your copay for Pneumovax 23 vaccination with insurance will vary depending on your plan. However, Pneumovax 23 will sometimes be covered by your health insurance as a medical benefit rather than a prescription drug benefit. Ask the clinic or hospital where you receive Pneumovax 23 injections if they will accept a SingleCare Pneumovax 23 coupon you could pay only $138.31 if they do.
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Where An Adult Can Get Low Cost Vaccines
At LesliesList.org we get many emails asking where an adult can get low cost vaccines.
It appears the answer is nowhere. They dont exist unless you are an established patient in one of the county-funded or low-cost clinics in your metropolitan area. However, you can save a little money by comparison shopping. I think your best bet is to try one of the walk-in clinic chains at CVS or Walgreens.
The Take Care Clinics website offers a list of vaccines available but I had to call the customer service number to get each price. The Minute Clinic website has a vaccine list with prices. I have also included this price list below for comparison convenience.
Minute Clinic price list
Flu $30Hepatitis A : $117 per shotHepatitis B : $102 per shotIPV : $96MMR : $116PPSV : $77Tdap $92HPV: not available
Take Care Clinic price list
Tdap : $65MMR : $96Hepatitis A: not offeredHepatitis B : $80 per shotTwinrix : $96 per shotShingles : $220Flu : $30Pneumonia: $64HPV : 1st: $215 , 2nd and 3rd shots: $185Private primary care clinic discounted price list
Tdap: $48Hepatitis A : $94 per shotHepatitis B : $71 per shotTwinrix : $120 per shotMMR: $68HPV : $180 per shot
Leslie Ramirez is an internal medicine physician and founder of Leslies List, which provides information that enables all patients, but especially the uninsured and underinsured, to find more affordable medications and health care services.
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Flu And Pneumonia Shots
Having the flu can be dangerous for anyone. But it is extra risky for people with diabetes or other chronic health problems. Having diabetes means having more instances of high blood sugar than a person without diabetes. High blood sugar hinders your white blood cells ability to fight infections.
Beyond people living with diabetes, flu is also extra risky for people with heart disease, smokers and those with chronic lung disease, people who have an impaired immune system , very young children, and people living in very close quarters, such as college dorms, military barracks, or nursing homes.
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Talk To Your Doctor Or Pharmacist
Various factors, such as age and lifestyle, determine when adults and children should get immunizations. Talk to your doctor for more information about recommended immunizations for you and your covered family members. Pharmacists in New Jersey are limited to providing immunizations to members based on age and other criteria. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Minute Clinic® is a registered mark of CVS Health.
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Please be aware when you travel from the Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield site to another site, whether through links we provide or otherwise, you will be subject to the privacy policies of those sites. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield cautions you to use good judgment and to determine the privacy policy of such sites before you provide any personal information.
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
Information in Other Languages
What Are The Side Effects Of Vaccines

Most side effects from vaccines are minor, if they occur at all. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the reactions that could occur. They may include:
- Redness, mild swelling, or soreness where the shot was given.
- A slight fever.
- Drowsiness, crankiness, and poor appetite.
- A mild rash 7 to 14 days after chickenpox or measles-mumps-rubella shots.
- Temporary joint pain after a measles-mumps-rubella shot.
Serious reactions, such as trouble breathing or a high fever are rare. If you or your child has an unusual reaction, call your doctor.
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Does Medicare Cover The Shingles Vaccine
En español | Unlike some common vaccines, like those for the flu, hepatitis B and pneumonia, shingles shots are not covered under Medicare Part B, the component of original Medicare that includes doctor visits and outpatient services. Part A, which deals with hospital costs, doesnt cover shingles shots either.
Medicare coverage for Shingrix and Zostavax, the two commercially available shingles vaccines, is provided only if you are enrolled in a stand-alone Part D drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D drug coverage.
Medicare requires Part D plans to cover the shingles vaccine, so if youre enrolled in Part D, you shouldnt have difficulty obtaining the shot. Most require a copayment, which can vary widely from plan to plan.
And if you havent yet met your plans deductible for the year, youll likely pay the full price. For Shingrix, the newer vaccine, that averages around $190, according to GoodRx, a website and app that tracks prescription prices.