How a $35 Flu Shot Can Save You Money and Your Life

It’s flu season and the last thing you want is for the influenza virus to keep you from enjoying the holidays.  Since it takes about two weeks after getting a shot for your body to build up immunity to the flu, it’s best that you get your flu shot right away.

Time Magazine estimated that the flu costs the U.S. over $6.2 in lost productivity each year.  While the flu shot won’t guarantee that you’ll stay healthy this year, your chances of getting the flu decreases dramatically if you get a flu shot.

Flu shots generally cost $35 and take only a few minutes.  Many pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS will provide the flu shot on the spot.  Before you rush out to your closest pharmacy, be sure to check on Flu.gov to find a flu vaccine location near you.

Getting the Flu will Cost More than $35

While things might be tight for you financially, the $35 cost of a flu shot is much lower than the cost of actually having the flu.  Think about all these costs associated with getting the flu:

Loss of Work – A day off the job might cost you $80 – $200 or more. Sure, you might have PTO that can cover the sick day, but that just means one less day of that vacation you’ll have later.

Doctor Visits – Remember that $35 you saved by not getting a flu shot, now you’re going to use it for your $40 copay at the doctor.  Some insurance plans might even cost you more!

Expensive Prescriptions – Get ready to fork over another $15 – $40 for your prescriptions.  Those things aren’t cheap.

A Plastic Bucket – $4 You know why.

Your Health and Your Family’s Health is Worth $35

If you absolutely hate getting shots, you’re in luck.  There’s a new way to get the flu vaccine and it doesn’t involve needles.  Many places offer a nasal spray that provides the flu vaccine like the shot would.

Few points about the nasal vaccination from the flu.gov website:

• Recommended age: Healthy individuals between age 2 and 49.
• Not recommended for pregnant women.
• Not recommended for those with arthritis.
• Not recommended for asthma sufferers.

For more information on the flu vaccine, check out the website Flu.gov and be sure to get your flu shot this year.  A $35 shot doesn’t just save you time and money – it could also save your life.