How Much Does a Whooping Cough Shot Cost?
All adults, ages 19 and older, need the one-time whooping cough booster vaccine. This whooping cough booster, referred to as Tdap, is a combination of a vaccine with diphtheria and tetanus.
While anyone can get whopping cough, younger children and infants are highest at risk, which can result in hospitalization or even death if left untreated. Immunity from childhood vaccinations can wear off after five to 10 years, leaving adolescents and adults susceptible to this disease. The current recommendation, for this particular vaccine, is for those between the ages of 11 to 64. Adults older than 65 should receive the vaccine if they come in contact with an infant.
How much does a whooping cough shot cost?
On average, the cost of a Tdap booster shot without insurance can range anywhere from $50 to $120 without insurance. We talked to a few providers in our area and listed the quotes we received in our table below.
Forum members on What To Expect talked about what they had paid for the vaccine, and for the most part, members had paid anywhere from $75 at a local CVS/Walgreens to as little as $20 at a local health department.
Health insurance companies, however, will cover all or a portion of the vaccine, depending on your policy rules. Check with your insurance company ahead of time to see if you’re covered; if so, be sure to choose a provider who’s inside your network. If you do not have insurance, consider finding a policy on the health insurance search engine, eHealthInsurance.com.
| Provider | Cost Quoted |
|---|---|
| Albertson's | $66 |
| CVS Minute Clinic | $92 |
| Local Doctor's Office | $125 |
| Local Health Department | $48 |
| Rite Aid | $65 |
| Safeway | $68 |
| Walgreens | $65 |
| Walmart | $60 |
What are the extra costs?
If you decide to have the vaccine done at your local doctor’s office, then an office visit fee may apply.
Even after you receive the booster shot, you will still need the Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster every 10 years.
Tips to know:
This vaccine can be found at just about any local pharmacy, local doctor’s office or even your health department.
Pregnant women who need this vaccine will receive it during the third semester.
The CDC recommends DTaP for children at birth through six years or one dose of Tdap at 11 or 12 years old. Teenagers who didn’t receive the Tdap as a preteen should get one dose the next time they visit the doctor. Those 19 years and older, the CDC recommends one dose of Tdap for adults who didn’t get the Tdap as a preteen.
How can I save money?
The cost of the Tdap vaccine is covered by Medicare Part D. Medicaid also covers the vaccination as it’s part of the recommended immunization schedule.
Check with your local state health department to see if you can take advantage of a low-cost vaccine. For example, in Seattle, children younger than 19 can get the vaccines via health care providers participating in the state’s Childhood Vaccine Program. Also, uninsured children in California can get the vaccine for free through the Federal Vaccines for Children Program or Medi-Cal.
As you can see in the table above, the quotes can vary from one retailer to another. Call a few of these providers ahead of time to see what they charge. Also, remember, if you have insurance, be sure to bring this up to see if they take it.
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Average Reported Cost: $64
How much did you spend?
- Walmart (Rockwall, Texas) paid $64 and said:
Dissappointed the local health clinic would not give the adult whooping cough booster.
Was it worth it? Yes
