Written by

Kristen Cramer

March 7, 2026

Edited by

Tara Farmer

Vaccine prices

Vaccines cost $40 to $400 each without insurance, depending on the specific vaccine, your location, and the healthcare provider. Some pharmacies and vaccine clinics charge an additional consultation fee or administrative fee of $25 to $95 on top of the vaccine price.

Health insurance typically covers preventative vaccines, such as MMR, chickenpox, Tdap, flu vaccines, and several others.

Chikungunya vaccine

The chikungunya vaccine costs $280 to $500 without insurance. Chikungunya is a virus spread by mosquitoes that causes headache, fever, severe joint and muscle pain, joint swelling, and rashes. There is currently no treatment for chikungunya, so vaccination is recommended for people traveling to areas with outbreaks.

Cholera vaccine

The cholera vaccine costs $275 to $400 on average and is recommended for people traveling to areas where the food may be unsafe to eat, access to clean water is limited, or areas with current outbreaks. The only cholera vaccine currently approved for use in the U.S. is called Vaxchora.

COVID-19 vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccine costs $90 to $200 without insurance. Some state immunization programs still offer free COVID-19 vaccination. Ongoing protection from COVID-19 requires annual booster shots, as the vaccine mutates and new variants develop regularly.

Hepatitis A vaccine

The Hepatitis A vaccine costs $170 to $230 total for the full two-dose series of injections without insurance. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which can cause serious inflammation and liver damage.

Hepatitis B vaccine

The Hepatitis B vaccine costs $120 to $330 total for the full three-dose series without insurance. Hepatitis B is a serious infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and can cause acute or chronic liver disease, liver cancer, liver failure, or living scarring known as cirrhosis.

HPV vaccine

The HPV vaccine costs $480 to $1,050 without insurance for the complete vaccination series of two to three doses. The required number of doses depends on the individual's age when they receive the first dose. The HPV vaccine protects against several types of Human Papillomavirus, the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Influenza (flu) vaccine

A flu shot costs $22 to $70 without insurance for the standard quadrivalent vaccine or $62 to $130 for the high-dose flu vaccine for adults aged 65 and older. Most health insurance plans cover the full cost of an annual flu shot as a preventative measure.

Japanese Encephalitis vaccine

The Japanese Encephalitis vaccine costs $600 to $840 total for the full two-dose series. Japanese Encephalitis is a viral infection that is transmitted by mosquitoes and affects the brain. While most infections cause mild or no symptoms, some infections can lead to severe disease and death. Many insurance providers don't cover the vaccine.

Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR) vaccine

The MMR vaccine costs $180 to $250 without insurance for the complete two-dose series. Most private and commercial health insurance plans cover the full cost. This vaccine provides protection against measles, mumps, and rubella—three highly contagious viral diseases.

Almost all U.S. states require MMR vaccination for school attendance.

Meningitis vaccine

The meningitis vaccine costs $170 to $230 without insurance for the Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine or $190 to $280 for the Meningococcal Serogroup B (MenB) vaccine. Meningitis is a serious infection that causes inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Some types of meningitis can be fatal.

Pneumonia vaccine

The pneumonia vaccine costs $200 to $330 without insurance at local pharmacies. Most health insurance plans and Medicare Part B cover the full cost of the vaccine. The CDC recommends the pneumonia vaccine for all adults aged 50 and older, children younger than 5 years old, and individuals with certain risk factors or medical conditions.

Polio vaccine

The polio vaccine costs $160 to $340 total without insurance for the full four-dose series. Polio (poliomyelitis) is a highly contagious and incurable disease caused by the poliovirus, which attacks the nervous system and can cause permanent paralysis or even death.

Rabies vaccine

The rabies vaccine for humans costs $800 to $1,300 in total for a two-dose series of pre-exposure rabies vaccination (PrEV). The CDC recommends the pre-exposure vaccine for people who are at higher risk of rabies infection due to frequent contact with animals.

Most people only get the full rabies protocol and human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) if they've come in contact with an infected animal. Post-exposure rabies vaccination (PEP) costs $2,500 to $7,000+. Because rabies is almost always fatal if untreated, this life-saving protocol is necessary if you've been exposed to a rabid or potentially infected animal.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine

The RSV vaccine costs $300 to $550 without insurance. Most private health insurance plans and Medicare Part D and most private health insurance plans cover the cost. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common but highly contagious virus that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Shingles vaccine

The shingles vaccine costs $360 to $500 without insurance for the full two-dose series. Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella zoster virus and causes painful rashes, which most commonly appear on only one side of the face or body. The virus can cause severe long-term nerve pain, brain inflammation, hearing problems, permanent vision loss, and pneumonia.

Tdap vaccine

The Tdap vaccine costs $25 to $100 without insurance. The Tdap vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (whooping cough). Vaccination is crucial to protect against these bacterial diseases, which can be fatal.

The pediatric version is called the DTaP vaccine and costs $0 to $75. The DTaP vaccine is administered in five doses over the child's first six years.

Tetanus (Td) vaccine

The Td vaccine costs $40 to $80 without insurance. This vaccine protects against tetanus and diphtheria and is the standard vaccine for wound care after an injury.

Typhoid vaccine

The typhoid vaccine costs $35 to $200 without insurance for the oral version and $80 to $250 for the injectable vaccine. Typhoid fever is a life-threatening bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi. It remains a serious health problem in many developing nations, particularly in areas where access to clean water and sanitation may be limited.

Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine

The varicella vaccine costs $300 to $550 without insurance for the full two-dose series. Varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. While chickenpox is usually mild in children, it can cause severe symptoms in adults, infants, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

Yellow fever vaccine

The yellow fever vaccine costs $220 to $250. Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by mosquitoes and is fatal for about half the patients who develop serious symptoms. The virus is primarily found in Africa and South America.

The vaccine is the most effective way to protect yourself against yellow fever, and several countries require proof of vaccination from inbound travelers.

Vaccination FAQs

Do vaccines cause autism?

No, vaccines do not cause autism. Extensive research and numerous studies involving millions of children worldwide have found no link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The original study that sparked this concern was retracted due to falsified data and ethical violations, and its findings have been thoroughly debunked by the scientific community.

Major health organizations have confirmed that vaccines are safe and effective. Ingredients such as thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative previously used in some vaccines, have also been studied extensively and shown not to cause autism.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines work by training your immune system to recognize and fight off specific viruses or bacteria before you get sick. They introduce a harmless piece of the germ—such as a protein, a dead or weakened version of the virus, or a genetic instruction—into your body. This triggers your immune system to produce antibodies, just as it would if you were exposed to the actual disease.

Once your body creates these antibodies, it remembers how to fight that specific germ in the future. If you are ever exposed to the real disease later, your immune system can respond quickly and effectively to prevent infection or significantly reduce the severity of the illness.

Does insurance cover vaccines?

Insurance coverage for vaccines depends on your specific insurance plan and the type of vaccine. Most health insurance plans cover routine vaccines like flu shots, MMR, and tetanus as preventive care with no out-of-pocket cost. However, travel-specific vaccines are usually considered elective and may not be covered.

Does Medicare cover vaccines?

Medicare Part B covers certain vaccines that are considered preventive care, such as flu, pneumonia, and hepatitis B vaccines for people at high risk. However, Medicare does not cover most travel vaccines like yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and typhoid.

Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) may cover other vaccines recommended by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), depending on the specific plan and provider.

Where to get vaccines

Several different types of providers offer vaccines:

• Doctor's offices

• Pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, and other major chains)

• Local health departments

• Community health centers

• Travel vaccination clinics

• Schools

The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides free vaccines for eligible children ages 18 and younger who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid-eligible or Medicaid-enrolled, or American Indian or Alaska Native.