Flu Shots To Cost More

[jeffrey]

If you plan on getting a flu shot this winter, it's going to cost you more - up to 25% more. While all the vaccine makers have supplies to go around this year and avoid the shortages of the last flu season, all have also raised their wholesale prices which they charge to clinics, distributors, doctors and hospitals.

Maxim Health Systems will raise prices 20%, from $20 to $25 for a shot. They vaccinate approximately 2 million people nationwide through clinics at grocery stores, drugstores and other similar locations. Costco is offering flu shots at their cost of $18, an increase of 17% from the year before. Prices for the flu shot from private practice doctors will also likely rise and can cost as much as $45.




Not everyone will need to pay for their flu shot. Many employers, health departments and HMOs offer free flu shots and patients on medicare qualify for them.