‘Free’ flu shots may not really be free
Despite signs and advertisements promoting free influenza shots, experts say the annual vaccine isn’t always free to everyone.
If someone with insurance tries to get a shot at a pharmacy or clinic that’s outside their insurer’s network they could pay between $40 and $70 out of pocket, even though the Affordable Care Act requires insurers to cover all federally recommended vaccines at no charge to patients. Those who are uninsured could pay a similar price.
Without insurance, a standard flu shot for someone ages 6 months to 64years-old costs $40 and a higher dose shot available for senior citizens costs around $70.
While that may not seem like a lot of money, it can be for people who are uninsured and forced to pay for the vaccine out-of-pocket, said Amy Bush Stevens, vice president of prevention at the Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO).
Around 9% of working-age adults and 5% of children in Ohio were uninsured in 2019, Stevens said.
But, those numbers are higher among Ohio’s minority communities, and Stevens said they’ll likely creep up with more people out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic. Around 11.4% of Black Ohioans and 22.5% of Hispanic residents are uninsured, an HPIO analysis found.
“We need to be doing better,” Stevens said. “We already have those disparities at baseline, and then you throw COVID into the mix.”
Central Ohioans who are uninsured have options though. They may be able to get a free or discounted flu shot at a clinic run by one of central Ohio’s health departments.
Columbus Public Health offers flu shots at no cost to residents via drivethru immunization clinics held at schools and the fairgrounds in Columbus and Worthington, the cities it serves, as well as its clinic at 240 Parsons Ave. on Columbus’ Near East Side.
Franklin County Public Health also offers a free flu vaccine to children and adults who are uninsured or underinsured. The administrative fee is $28 for the first shot and $15 for additional immunizations and is based on a sliding scale that can be adjusted and discounted or eliminated based on a patient’s income.
“Nobody’s turned away from inability to pay, and if you told me that you couldn’t make a payment, that would be OK,” said Alex Jones, Franklin County assistant health commissioner. “We want you to get the vaccine and we want you to be protected.”
Even pharmacies are sometimes able to discount flu shots for those in need, said Bill Cuffari, a CVS pharmacist.
Walgreens Pharmacy tries to never turn anyone away because of the flu shot’s cost, spokeswoman Rebekah Pajak said.
“With COVID and flu being respiratory viruses, if one has a vaccine then we want people to be able to get that so that they can help protect themselves against one of the illnesses out there,” she said. Escottmoran@gannett.com @emmascottmoran