Where to Get Free Flu Shots in New York City

Have you gotten your flu shot yet? 

It won’t protect you from the deadly Coronavirus now making its way to New York City, but it will protect you from the flu. 

Symptoms for the viral infection include runny nose, headache, cough and fever. And yes, those are also the same symptoms of the common cold and also the flu.

The recent temperature swings mean lots of us are getting colds. 

Don’t let the sniffles turn into the flu.

There’s still time to protect yourself and your children with a FREE flu shot and protect yourself from the misery and the medical bills associated with the flu.

Here’s where to get FREE or cheap flu shots in New York City, so you don’t start 2020 sick with the flu.

What you should know about Coronavirus

from the US Government

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Medical insurance coverage for flu shots

Under the federal Affordable Care Act – also called Obamacare – insurance plans created after March 23, 2010, are required to provide some types of FREE preventive care, including immunizations.

Since plans often change each year, that rule covers nearly every medical insurance plan available today.

If you have a new employer, or if you or your employer recently switched insurance plans, find out if flu shots are covered.

Probably, they are covered, since flu shots are far lest costly for insurance companies than an emergency room visit or hospital stay to treat it.

Medicare and Flu Shots

If you have Medicare Part B, your flu shot should be FREE. If you have private insurance, you may be able to get a flu shot either FREE or for the price of a copay.

Even if you don’t think flu shots are covered by your insurance, ask the billing department at your doctor’s office to call and find out.

If you are 65 or over, also consider a FREE shot to prevent shingles, and also the FREE shot to prevent pneumonia.

Note that if one location has run out of the shot you want, a neighboring location of the same chain might have it, or a competing location.

In NYC, where there’s a CVS, Duane Reade, Walgreen’s or Rite Aid on practically every block, it’s just a short walk from sold out to sit down.

See more discounts and deals for seniors on the

NYCOTC Discounts for Seniors page.

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Walgreen’s 

Regular flu shots are $31.99 for children, high dose flu shots for 65+ are $59.99. 

Prices are similar at Duane Reade, now owned by Walgreen’s.

NYC on the Cheap likes Walgreen’s for its Get a Shot Give a Shot program.

For every flu shot customers get, Walgreen’s donates a lifesaving immunization to a child in a developing country. 

Through January 31, 2020, for every immunization administered, Walgreens will donate $0.23 to the United Nations Foundation, up to a maximum donation of $2,600,000.

So far, according to the website, Walgreen’s has given away more than 34 million immunizations, through the United Nations Foundation.

NYC on the Cheap loves this program.

NYC on the Cheap recommends that you get your FREE flu shot at Walgreen’s, and support saving children around the world.

CVS and MinuteClinic –

FREE flu shots for Medicare Part B patients, including high dose flu shots for those 65 plus. 

Pneumonia shots also are available in some locations. Unfortunately, CVS is not posting prices on its website, so if you are not covered by insurance, ask before you get stuck. 

ExtraBucks rewards members also get a $5 coupon for a $25 purchase on your next visit.

Rite Aid 

Rite Aid also is not posting flu shot prices on its website, but does tell you that loyalty club members get 25 Wellness Points.

You can also get FREE flu shots in NYC at Sam’s Club locations with pharmacies, and walk-in urgent care locations such as CityMD without an appointment.

This was posted originally in November 2017, and updated in October 2019.