Where to Find Free COVID Vaccines Right Now—No Matter Your Insurance Status

COVID vaccines have been updated to include protection against new variants of the virus that are currently circulating, but that’s not the only thing that has changed. Equally significant is that the vaccine is largely no longer paid for by the federal government, now that the Public Health Emergency for the pandemic, in place from January 2020 until last May, has ended.

That means that most of the COVID shots will now be paid for by insurance, whether private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. Medicare and Medicaid pay the full cost, as do most private insurers.

For people without insurance—or whose insurer passes along some of the cost—a new federal program called Bridge Access is making millions of doses available at no cost through many pharmacies, plus some public health facilities like federally qualified health centers. The program will last through December 2024.

On September 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that everyone in the U.S. 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Now, shots are beginning to get to clinics, pharmacies, and doctors’ offices. But based on the changes behind how they’re funded, you can expect some glitches as everyone gets used to a new system Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH, chief medical officer of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers, told Verywell.

For example, Plescia said insurers have until September 26 to share payment information with providers, meaning there could be temporary snags in whether or not your vaccine is actually of charge. In addition, doses are only now making their way to providers, though CVS, Walgreens, and other pharmacies have added the new COVID vaccines to their online vaccine scheduling tools. 

If you want to get a a vaccine as soon as possible, several locations will have them available. Where you should go depends on your insurance status, though there are options for all. Here’s what you should know, and when you should consider waiting.

Where to Get a Free Vaccine

Several types of locations will offer COVID vaccines, though their supply will not be equal.

Doctors’ Offices

Not all physicians’ offices will be stocking the COVID vaccines. That’s because Pfizer and Moderna, the makers of the vaccines currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and advised by the CDC, require that providers buy a minimum number of doses and pay in advance. Not all practices are willing to do that.

If you have a checkup scheduled and are hoping to get vaccinated then, call the office in advance to see if they are giving the newly updated vaccine. In-network physicians and physicians participating in the Bridge Access program cannot charge an administration fee for the shot, even if you are only coming in for the vaccine and not as part of another office visit. And if you’re seeing a doctor who is not in your insurance network, ask if the vaccine is fully covered by insurance. Otherwise, you risk having to pay the full cost of $120 or $130 per shot, depending on whether you get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The office should be able to inform you about coverage when you book your appointment or when you come in for the visit.

“Vaccines recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (which the updated COVID vaccine was) are provided at $0 cost-sharing to consumers in-network, with plans picking up the full cost,” David Allen, a spokesperson for America’s Health Insurance Plans—the trade association for health insurers—told Verywell.

Pharmacies

Most large chain pharmacies—as well as small ones—are stocking the COVID vaccines, though some may not have walk-in appointments and will require you to schedule an appointment online or by phone. That’s because some pharmacists giving the shot are doing double duty filling prescriptions.

You may be asked for your insurance information when you schedule the appointment. If not, call and make sure the pharmacy takes your insurance, or you could be charged the full fee. Plescia suggests bringing your insurance card and ID even if the pharmacy has it on file just to decrease the chance of a glitch, and double check your insurance coverage when you check in.

In rare cases, insurance plans are not part of the Affordable Care Act, and you may be required to pay a copay or the full cost of medical care until you pay down your deductible. The CDC calls this being underinsured, and those consumers are eligible to get their vaccines for free through the Bridge Access program, Lori Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, told Verywell. 

Vaccines.gov, the searchable site for all vaccines, lists not only locations where vaccinations are available, but also whether they are participating in the Bridge Access program. Freeman says a total of about 6 million doses of the vaccine are being allocated to the Bridge Access program, though not all at once. Some will be given to clinics, health centers, and pharmacies. That number is calculated based on how many uninsured people have already accessed free vaccinations. Schedule your appointment soon to be sure you can get it while the supply lasts. 

Federally Qualified Health Centers

Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are outpatients clinics, often in medically-underserved areas, that qualify for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. They offer care ranging from primary/preventive and dental to mental health services and some specialty care, regardless of your ability to pay. Typically, local health department employees staff FQHCs.

The federal government has a network of FQHCs that are stocking vaccines paid for by the Bridge Access program or local and state health departments. To get a vaccine at one of these locations, you will be asked if you have insurance, but you won’t have to prove that you do not, Freeman said. Call ahead to see if you can schedule an appointment or if they are taking walk-ins. You can find a FQHC near you using this tool.

Free Clinics

Free and charitable clinics are run through private donations and care for both uninsured and underinsured people, usually those living at up to 200% of the federal poverty level. Care is provided by unpaid volunteers.

The U.S. has a network of over 1,000 free clinics, and many will have COVID-19 vaccines available for free.

“At each one, [vaccine access] depends on whether they are providing this service,” Ariana Gordillo De Vivero, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics, told Verywell. Clinics were able to give supplies for free while the the government was paying for vaccines under the Public Health Emergency. But that stock is gone, and free clinics are subject to the vaccine supply provided through programs like Bridge.

You can find a free clinic near you by searching here.

If you live far from a clinic, pharmacy, or doctor’s office, Freeman said you can check your local health department to see if there are mobile clinics or vaccine drives coming to your area.

What Medicare and Medicaid Recipients Should Know

A spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which runs Medicare and Medicaid, told Verywell that people with traditional Medicare pay nothing for a COVID-19 vaccination if their doctor or other qualified healthcare provider accepts assignment for giving the shot.

If your doctor’s office tells you they do not accept Medicare, most pharmacies will. But call the pharmacy first, make an appointment, and bring your Medicare card and ID with you.

“People with Medicare Advantage plans should contact their plan for details about payment for COVID-19 vaccines, but Medicare Advantage beneficiaries will pay nothing for a COVID-19 vaccination if they receive their vaccinations from an in-network provider,” said the spokesperson. Check your member information to find in-network providers giving the COVID shot. This could include both doctors and pharmacies.

As a result of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, states must provide coverage for Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), without cost-sharing, for COVID-19 vaccinations through September 30, 2024.

Check Vaccines.gov or call the number on the back of your Medicaid card to find providers who are immunizing Medicaid beneficiaries.

But you may need to bring your patience along with your member cards and ID.

“CMS is aware that some consumers have had difficulty accessing COVID-19 vaccines, including experiencing unexpected insurance coverage denials at the point of service,” the spokesperson said. “CMS has been in close contact with the plans for these transitions for months. CMS is reaching out again to plans and issuers to ensure that their systems are up-to-date and prepared to meet their obligations to provide coverage of COVID-19 vaccines for participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees.”

Should You Wait a Week to Get a Vaccine?

Regardless of your insurance status, you may want to wait to get an updated COVID vaccine until September 26, when insurance companies settle coverage logistics with practices and pharmacies. But don’t wait much longer if you are eligible for a COVID booster—which you are if it’s been at least two months since your last one, or two months since a recent bout of COVID-19.

“COVID case rates are going up, so now is a good time to get the vaccine,” Plescia said. “Until you do get the vaccine, and especially if you’re at risk, consider precautions such as masking in crowded indoor spaces and testing if you or someone you’ve spent time with has symptoms that could be COVID-19.”

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.