Most people pay $0 for vaccines because they are covered by private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or the Vaccines for Children program. Getting sick can cost much more, even if you do not need to stay in the hospital.
Illness costs may include:
Being unvaccinated can cost more than you think.
- doctor visits
- tests
- medicine
- emergency room visits
- follow-up care
- physical therapy
- long-term support
More Than Medical Bills
Healthcare studies often count payments made to doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other medical providers. These payments may come from the patient, an insurance company, Medicare, Medicaid, or another program. Families may also have other costs that do not show up in medical records.
These costs may include:
- Lost pay when a patient or caregiver misses work
- Childcare or care for another family member
- Gas, bus fare, parking, meals, and hotel stays
- Home-care supplies, food delivery, and household help
- Follow-up care, physical therapy, or costs from a long-term disability
Cost estimates are based on published U.S. healthcare expenditures and illustrative household expenses. Actual costs depend on disease severity, location, insurance coverage, wages, paid leave, services received, and family needs. Healthcare figures may represent combined payments from patients, insurers, and public programs and are not guaranteed to reflect out-of-pocket prices. Household expense ranges describe possible costs and should not be added as though every family will incur every item.
For the examples below, missed income is illustrated using median full-time earnings of $1,251 per week in the second quarter of 2026 – about $250 per workday. A person’s actual loss may be higher, lower, or zero depending on wages and paid leave.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Usual Weekly Earnings – Second Quarter 2026.
Childcare prices differ sharply by location, age, and care setting. The ranges below are planning estimates. Local organizations can replace them with county-level prices from the U.S. Department of Labor database.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices.
How can vaccines cost nothing?
Many recommended vaccines are available with no out-of-pocket cost through private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or public programs.
Private health insurance
Most private health insurance plans cover recommended vaccines at no cost when you go to an in-network provider. An in-network provider is a doctor, clinic, or pharmacy that has an agreement with your insurance company.
A copay is a set amount you may have to pay for a visit or service. Many recommended vaccines do not require a copay, but rules can differ. Check with your insurance plan before your appointment.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a government health insurance program for people who meet certain income or other rules. It covers recommended vaccines for eligible children and adults.
Each state runs its Medicaid program a little differently, so where and how you get a vaccine may depend on where you live.
Medicare
Medicare is a federal health insurance program mainly for people age 65 and older and some younger people with disabilities.
Medicare covers many vaccines recommended for adults. These include flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal, and shingles vaccines. It may also cover other vaccines based on your age, health, or risk of getting sick.
Vaccines for Children
The Vaccines for Children program provides vaccines at no cost to eligible children younger than 19.
A child may qualify if they:
- Have Medicaid
- Do not have health insurance
- Have insurance that does not fully cover vaccines and get vaccinated at an approved clinic
- Are American Indian or Alaska Native
Learn more: CDC Vaccines for Children program.
Local health departments and community clinics
Local health departments, community health centers, clinics, pharmacies, and special vaccine events may offer vaccines for free or at a lower cost.
Call ahead to ask which vaccines are available, who qualifies, and whether there are any fees.
Sources and methodology
This page combines three kinds of information: published healthcare expenditures, published information about illness duration or complications, and clearly labeled planning ranges for household expenses. The ranges are designed for public education, not billing or insurance advice
Where our numbers came from
Lost Income
Missed-work examples use median weekly earnings of $1,251 for full-time U.S. wage and salary workers in the second quarter of 2026. Dividing by five produces an illustrative daily amount of about $250.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Usual Weekly Earnings – Second Quarter 2026
Childcare
Childcare ranges are planning estimates informed by the wide variation documented in county- and state-level market price data. Publishers should replace national planning ranges with local data when creating location-specific campaigns.
U.S. Department of Labor: National Database of Childcare Prices
