GoodRx offers savings on antivirals, medications, vaccines for cold, flu season

GoodRx, a resource for healthcare savings and information, is offering new savings on antivirals, medications and vaccines for the upcoming cold and flu season.

Last flu season, the CDC estimates that influenza was associated with more than 27 million illnesses, 300,000 hospitalizations and 19,000 deaths, showing the importance of Americans taking preventative measures to protect themselves from the virus and understand the treatment options available if they get sick, the company noted. With these significant savings, Americans can find affordable ways to prevent or treat seasonal illnesses, regardless of insurance status.

GoodRx said the best way for consumers to protect themselves against the flu is to get the annual flu shot between September and the end of October, per the CDC. However, the typical out-of-pocket cost for a flu shot can be as high as $100, depending on the person’s location and the type of vaccine.

[Read more: GoodRx unveils Medicine Cabinet]

To make flu shots more accessible to all Americans this season, GoodRx is working directly with Walgreens, Walmart and Weis to offer one flat rate that includes the vaccine and all admin fees, plus tax if applicable, with no surprise costs.

• 6 months to 64 years: Under $40 for the Fluarix or Fluzone Quadrivalent
• 65 years and older: Under $70 for the Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent

Cold & Flu Treatments

For those who get the flu this season, GoodRx is making it easy to access antivirals, which can shorten the duration and severity of the flu, and other medications to help treat symptoms and complications from the flu. 

[Read more: CVS Caremark, GoodRx launch Caremark Cost Saver program]

In addition to cold and flu, GoodRx is helping Americans prepare for a rising number of COVID-19 and RSV cases.

Preeti Parikh, executive medical director of GoodRx, is providing the following advice:

Anyone six months and older should receive an annual flu shot by the end of October. Those 65 and older should get the high-dose version.

Adults with high-risk conditions and those 60 years and older should talk to their healthcare providers about the RSV vaccine, as they may be more susceptible to complications from the virus. GoodRx said. 

Parents of babies under the age of 8 months, or of babies ages 8 - 19 months old with high risk medical conditions, should talk to their pediatrician about getting the newly approved RSV antibody vaccine, starting Oct. 1, GoodRx said.

"The flu and COVID vaccines can ideally be taken together, but Parikh recommends spacing out the RSV vaccine until more data is available to confirm that taking them together won’t decrease their efficacy," GoodRx said.

To help consumers better navigate this year’s “tripledemic,” GoodRx Health is offering a range of information and resources from its team of medical experts, including doctors and pharmacists. To learn more about how GoodRx can help with the upcoming cold and flu season, visit online here.