How Getting a Flu Shot Saves You Pain and Save Money

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by James Duffy Updated on July 26, 2020
A man getting a flu shot
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I’ll be honest: I hate needles. Even when it comes to something as important as a flu shot, I struggle to bring myself to see my doctor.

Evidently, I’m not alone. According to the CDC, nearly 60 percent of adults don’t get flu shots each year.

I had the flu in the fourth grade and while it was awful, I did get to miss a week of school, so it was a win-lose. Now that I’m a little older, I realize how important it is to get flu shot – and what I can lose by not getting one.

Now that the 2019-20 flu season is just around the corner, it’s a good time to brush up on just how important a flu shot can be.

The Costs Of Getting the Flu

The flu can run up your bills faster than it raises your temperature. Not only will you have to deal with feeling sick, but you’ll also end up burning quite the hole in your wallet. Just think of the costs.

The Basics

Here are just a few of the items the American Public Health Association recommends you have if you’re dealing with the flu:

  • Hand sanitizer 
  • Facial tissues
  • Thermometer
  • Non-prescription medication (like pain relievers, cough drops, cold medicine)

That’s at least $50 bill for the bare necessities, and that’s not even the half of it.

Missing Work

You’re probably going to miss at least a week of work. The average worker gets about 8 sick days every year, so if you’ve already taken time off this year the flu can make a serious dent in your paycheck.

And don’t even think about trying to go into work if you’re sick – nobody else wants to catch the flu from you!

Seeing A Doctor

If home remedies aren’t doing it, you might decide to see a professional. If you don’t have insurance, you could end up paying over $100 out of pocket just to see a doctor. You won’t feel any better when the first thing he or she tells you is that you should have gotten a flu shot.

How A Flu Shot Saves You Money

Not only does getting a flu shot help you dodge the costs of coming down with the flu, but you can also get one for cheap or free.

The Smart Wallet team member Alice Ly covered all the places you can get a free flu shot this year, so check out her list.

Don’t wait any longer! Instead of getting saddled with medical bills, sick days and pharmacy receipts, save yourself some time and money by getting a flu shot.