84%of Americans Plan to Get Updated COVID-19 Vaccine This Fall, Only 15% Would Pay the Full $200 Sticker Price

The FDA recently approved three updated COVID-19 vaccines to target the latest strain of the virus ahead of cold and flu season. A September SingleCare survey found that 84% of U.S. respondents plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine this fall—up from 82% last fall. In fact, SingleCare analyzed its prescription data for the first 22 days in September 2024 compared to the entire month of September 2023 and found that fills for the updated COVID-19 vaccines have already increased by 789% year-over-year. This may be in part because by using SingleCare, consumers paying out of pocket can access the COVID-19 vaccine for as little as $144.

Ahead of this year’s cold and flu season, SingleCare conducted a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults to understand their behaviors and attitudes towards the COVID-19 and flu vaccines, revealing the following insights. 

Only 15% of Americans said they would pay the $200 out-of-pocket price for the COVID-19 vaccine if they had to.

In August, the CDC ended its Bridge Access Program, which once provided free COVID-19 vaccines to Americans without health insurance. Now, for the first time since the start of the pandemic, 25 million uninsured Americans will need to pay full price for the vaccine at the pharmacy. When asked in SingleCare’s survey, 81% of respondents said they’d be willing to pay out of pocket for the updated COVID-19 vaccine, however, only 15% said that they would pay the current cost for the shot if they had to. 

The majority of Americans believe they are informed on the COVID-19 vaccine, yet fewer than one in five actually know when to get their next shot

This summer, the U.S. experienced the largest wave of COVID-19 cases since July 2022. If you had COVID-19 recently, the CDC recommends that you consider delaying your next COVID vaccine dose by 3 months. SingleCare’s survey uncovered that the majority (83%) of Americans believe they feel informed when to get their next COVID-19 shot, but only 15% answered correctly that they should wait at least 3 months after infection for their next dose. 

SingleCare’s survey also found that: 

• More than half (60%) said they have experienced symptoms of long COVID 

• Nearly half (49%) said they’ve purchased an at-home COVID-19 test kit in the past 6 months 

• Nearly half (47%) of Americans are concerned for themselves or family members getting COVID-19 during the fall season  

SingleCare consulted Pharmacy and Health Expert Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois, Pharm.D., for tips on how to stay healthy during the upcoming cold and flu season. Dr. Bourgeois recommends that you: 

1. Plan to get vaccinated in late September. “Respiratory season,” as we refer to it in pharmacy—the fall and winter months when we see increases in RSV, flu, and COVID-19 cases—is quickly approaching. Activity of these illnesses begins to rise in October, so it’s best to get these vaccines in late September or throughout October to provide coverage throughout peak cold and flu season. 

   • RSV vaccine: The current RSV vaccine is recommended for people older than 75 or those between the ages of 60 and 74 with coexisting conditions. The vaccine is administered once per lifetime. 

   • Flu vaccine: The annual flu vaccine provides about 6 months of immunity and is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. It takes roughly two weeks after you receive your vaccine for antibodies to develop and provide protection against the virus.

   • COVID-19 vaccine: Since the COVID-19 virus does not follow the same seasonal pattern as the flu or RSV, it’s important to get the vaccine as soon as possible.

2. Get your COVID-19 and flu shots at the same time. It is recommended to get both the flu and COVID vaccines at the same appointment. Scheduling a single appointment for both vaccines saves time and effort, especially for people with busy schedules. It also eliminates the need for multiple trips to the doctor or pharmacy, which can improve overall vaccination rates. Studies have shown that it is safe to receive both vaccines during the same visit, and the side effects, if any, are typically mild and not significantly different than receiving the vaccines separately.

3. If you aren’t insured, bring a prescription savings card to the pharmacy. If you’re uninsured or your plan does not cover vaccinations, be sure to bring a savings card, like SingleCare, to your vaccine appointment. The COVID-19 vaccine can cost as much as $200 out of pocket without a savings card. However, when using SingleCare, you can get the COVID vaccine for as little as $144.The flu vaccine typically costs $56 out of pocket but with SingleCare, you can bring the cost of the vaccine down to $22. 

4. Boost your immune system. During the respiratory season, it’s important to keep your immune system strong in case you do catch a cold or virus. Support your immune system by sleeping at least 7 hours a night, consuming adequate water—roughly 8 glasses of water a day—to stay hydrated, and moving your body daily (a good goal is to aim for at least 30 minutes of walking). You can also work with your healthcare provider to determine if supplements that support your immune system are right for you. Some examples of these include zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, and quercetin.

5. Practice good hygiene. One of the best ways to prevent the spread of viruses and infection is to practice good hygiene by: 

   • Washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Also, be diligent to wash hands upon entering your home and sanitize high touch points like your phone and steering wheel.

   • Using alcohol-based hand sanitizers when handwashing isn’t possible. Pack a hand sanitizer in your child’s lunch box and instruct them to use it before eating lunch.

   • Avoiding touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth, as these are entry points for viruses. 

Survey methodology: 

SingleCare conducted this health survey online through SurveyMonkey on September 6, 2024. This survey includes 1,060 United States residents, adults ages 18+. Age and gender were census-balanced.