Fluzone is a brand-name vaccine used to help prevent certain types of flu. Fluzone comes in two forms: Fluzone Quadrivalent and Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent. Fluzone’s cost with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as whether the drug has a savings program.

Fluzone comes as a liquid suspension that’s given by intramuscular injection. Fluzone Quadrivalent is for use in children ages 6 months through 17 years and adults ages 18 through 64 years. Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent is for use in adults ages 65 years and older.

Fluzone is a biologic drug and belongs to a drug class called inactivated virus vaccines.* Fluzone is not available in a biosimilar version.

Read on to learn about Fluzone and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions. If you’d like other information about Fluzone, refer to this article.

* An inactivated virus vaccine is made from a virus that’s not live. This means the vaccine can’t cause an infection.

As with all medications, the cost of Fluzone can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

  • your insurance coverage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • the form of the vaccine you’re prescribed
  • the cost of the visit to your healthcare professional to receive Fluzone
  • whether Fluzone has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

To find out what the cost of Fluzone will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Insurance considerations

Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Fluzone.

Prior authorization. If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Fluzone. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Fluzone in regard to your care. The insurance company will then determine whether Fluzone is covered. If it requires prior authorization but you receive the vaccine without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost. You can ask your insurance company whether Fluzone requires prior authorization.

Type of insurance coverage. Fluzone is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional. If you have insurance, what you’ll pay for Fluzone may depend on your specific insurance plan and where you receive the vaccine. For example, if you receive it at your doctor’s office, your doctor may bill the price through the medical coverage portion of your insurance plan. If you receive Fluzone at your pharmacy, your pharmacist may bill the prescription drug portion of your insurance plan.

If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Fluzone.

How does the cost of Fluzone Quadrivalent compare to Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent?

The cost difference between Fluzone Quadrivalent and Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent depends on certain factors, such as your insurance coverage.

Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent may cost more because it has a larger dose. However, the cost difference may depend on whether you use insurance. Prescription medications tend to cost less with insurance than without. This is especially true for an influenza vaccine because it’s considered preventive care.

Your pharmacist can help determine the cost of different Fluzone forms with and without insurance. You can also reach out to your doctor’s office or insurance company and ask for a cost estimate.

Does the manufacturer of Fluzone have a coupon for the vaccine?

No, Fluzone’s manufacturer doesn’t currently offer a coupon for the vaccine.

To find out how much Fluzone costs, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company. Keep in mind that most insurance plans cover the cost of flu shots, including Fluzone.

To learn about other cost-savings options, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below.

Is Fluzone covered by Medicare?

Most insurance companies, including Medicare, typically cover the cost of Fluzone. However, where you receive your flu shot and whether they’re in-network can affect coverage. “In-network” means the doctor or other healthcare professional who administers your shot accepts your insurance. Also, different insurance plans can have different copays.* So the exact amount you’ll pay may depend on your specific Medicare insurance plan and where you receive your vaccine.

Typically, with Medicare Part B, you can get a flu shot, such as Fluzone, at no cost to you. To learn more about Medicare’s flu shot coverage, visit their website.

For more information about what you’ll pay for Fluzone, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or Medicare plan provider.

* A copay is set by your insurance policy. It’s the fee you pay for a prescription, while your insurance pays for the rest.

The active ingredient in Fluzone is influenza vaccine. It’s available only as a brand-name biologic drug and doesn’t come in a biosimilar version. A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug). Also, biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name medications.

WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BIOLOGIC DRUGS VS. BIOSIMILAR DRUGS?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create biosimilar versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. Also, because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

If you need financial support to pay for Fluzone, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example, some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.

Two such websites are:

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and Fluzone, you may still have some questions. It may help to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Fluzone. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Fluzone.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.