Should you get vaccinated at a pharmacy?

Consumer Reports

Here’s what to know before you go
Published: July 14, 2015 06:00 AM

You’re picking up a few household items at the pharmacy and spot a sign for on-site vaccinations. Would getting vaccinated at a pharmacy be a reasonable move? Yes. It’s a safe, convenient way to keep up to date on your immunizations, and may save you a trip to the doctor. What’s more, pharmacists are trained in immunization technique and practice giving shots regularly.

CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and other chains, as well as some independents, offer more than the flu shot – they also administer Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-approved vaccines, including hepatitis A and B, pneumonia, polio, shingles, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), and varicella (chickenpox). And many also offer travel immunizations for meningitis, typhoid, yellow fever, and other diseases.

While many pharmacies require no appointment and only ask that you complete a consent form (which includes questions about your medical history and authorizes the release of your health care provider and insurers), rules and vaccine availability vary by state—so call ahead before you drop in.

As at your doctor’s office, most pharmacies will file with your insurance, and under the Affordable Care Act, insurers are required to cover most immunizations for adults and children, so you probably won’t be charged. When in doubt, you or your pharmacist should check first with your insurer. Note, too, that your insurance plan may have age limitations, for example, most plans will not cover the shingles vaccines for adults under age 60. If you’re paying out-of-pocket, know that prices vary depending on the pharmacy, just as they do at your doctor’s office. For example, you’ll pay $85 for the pneumonia vaccine at CVS and Target, but just $73 at Costco pharmacies. And the dual Hepatitis A and B vaccine costs $169 at Target, and $114 at Walmart. Ask your pharmacist to forward information about your vaccinations to your doctor's office so that it can be added to your medical record.

An added perk for getting vaccinated at the pharmacy: CVS, Walgreens, and other chains offer loyalty programs (it’s free to sign up) that earn you rewards for each vaccination you get, and those reward points add up to discounts on other store purchases. Sign up online or at the pharmacy counter.

If you are uninsured or paying out-of-pocket, many of the same statewide free health clinics and community health centers that provide preventative care offer free or low-cost vaccinations. Find a clinic near you.

—Ginger Skinner