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Uninsured Georgians seeking flu and Covid vaccines this holiday season may have to shop around to find the cheapest shots.
Flu shots start at about $45, and Covid shots start at $160 for people paying out of pocket at commercial pharmacies.
Prices are much lower at some county health departments in the metro Atlanta area, while DeKalb and Fulton county health clinics reported costs of $150 or more for a Covid shot without insurance.
DeKalb County has used up its supply of low-cost Covid vaccines for uninsured people provided by the state, spokesperson Eric Nickens said. A few Fulton County clinics said they are entirely out of Covid shots.
There are some sources of help for people who can’t afford the vaccines. For example, consumers may be able to get discounts by using GoodRx or other pharmacy coupon programs.
Pfizer has a patient assistance program for Covid shots for uninsured people, though it requires an application. And Moderna provides shots for free to some charitable clinics.
Information about how much the vaccines will cost could depend on supply, so people are urged to call ahead.
Some 6,750 doses of Covid vaccines for uninsured adults had been distributed through local health departments and charitable clinics as of last week, state Department of Public Health spokesperson Nancy Nydam said. Earlier this year, the state purchased about 38,000 shots for uninsured people.
Close to 20,000 of the 27,000 state-purchased flu shots have been distributed.
Here’s a guide to finding the vaccines.
Fulton County Board of Health: Costs vary
Some vaccines remain available for uninsured adults, spokesperson Darryl Carver said.
A representative of the Adamsville Regional Health Center said her center is out of Covid vaccines, which normally cost $156. Flu shots for adults under 65 cost $35.
At the College Park Regional Health Center, a representative said Covid shots cost $202, and flu shots cost $35.
At the North Fulton Regional Health Center, a representative said a flu shot would cost $21.93. There were no Covid shots available.
Carver said the health centers will not turn away anyone for inability to pay.
DeKalb Public Health: $44 (flu), $147-$150 (Covid)
The agency has run out of free vaccines for uninsured adults that the state government purchased earlier this year, Nickens said.
Flu shots for adults under 65 are typically $44. Covid shots range between $147 and $150.
Nickens emphasized that no one will be turned away for inability to pay, and payment plans can be arranged. He encouraged people concerned about cost or wanting to set up an appointment to call 404-294-3700.
Vaccines for uninsured children are available for a $21.93 administration fee.
Gwinnett Newton Rockdale Public Health: $22
Covid and flu vaccines are available at all of the agency’s health centers, except for its Buford Health Center.
The shots will cost the $21.93 administration fee as long as supply remains from the state-provided vaccines for un- and underinsured adults, spokesperson Michele Kehler said.
The agency urges people to call ahead to check availability of appointments: 770-904-3717.
No one will be turned away due to inability to pay, Kehler said. Bring documents such as pay stubs and insurance cards to the appointment to help public health staffers determine eligibility and cost.
“Individuals who are not eligible for low-cost vaccines may qualify for vaccines at a reduced cost based on a sliding fee scale,” Kehler said.
Cobb and Douglas Board of Health: $21
Smyrna, Douglasville, Marietta, and Acworth-Kennesaw have flu and Covid shots for uninsured adults.
They each cost $21, an administration fee the board of health charges to cover its cost, spokesperson Valerie Crow said.
However, people will not be turned away from getting a vaccine due to inability to pay.
CVS: $69 (flu), $202 (Covid)
Standard flu vaccines for adults cost $68.99 for people without insurance or who want to pay in cash, CVS spokesperson Amy Thibault said.
Shots for adults older than 65, or those who need an egg-free vaccine, cost $113.99.
Covid shots at CVS cost about $202.
Publix: $68 (flu), $202 (Covid)
Standard flu vaccines for uninsured adults under 65 cost $68, a representative at an Atlanta-area Publix said.
Covid shots are $202.
Walgreens: $76 (flu), $205 (Covid)
Standard flu vaccines for uninsured adults under 65 cost $75.99, a representative at an Atlanta-area Walgreens said.
Covid shots are about $205.
Kroger: $45 (flu), $160-$170 (Covid)
Standard flu vaccines for uninsured adults under 65 cost around $45 for those without insurance, a representative at an Atlanta-area Kroger pharmacy said.
Moderna and Pfizer Covid vaccines cost $160 to $170, she said.
Help for people who can’t afford Covid shots
Pharmaceutical companies have programs for uninsured people who can’t afford a Covid vaccine:
- Pfizer (Comirnaty): Eligible uninsured people can get the vaccine for free through the company’s patient assistance program.
- Moderna (Spikevax): The company provides free vaccines to charitable clinics. People can search for a clinic near them using the links on this website.
- Novavax: A company representative said Novavax does not offer a patient assistance program for the Covid vaccine.
Rebecca Grapevine is a reporter covering public health in Atlanta for Healthbeat. Contact Rebecca at rgrapevine@healthbeat.org.
