Flu Season Is Here: Get Your Shot at an Airport Near You
It's flu season and whether your family is planning one trip this winter or you're a road warrior, you should consider a preventative flu shot. This is especially true given how easy illness spread on planes. To help you check this task off your to-do list, airports across the country are opening facilities that offer the flu shot and much more.
"With the holidays around the corner, more people are traveling and visiting families and friends. What many do not realize is that traveling can increase your risk of contracting flu. And flu can easily spread in confined spaces such as on an airplane," said Serese Marotta, chief operating officer of Families Fighting Flu, a national advocacy group.
Get Your Flu Shot at an Airport
If want to get a flu shot before heading home for the holidays, there's still time. Many US airports offer travel health services in small on-site clinics or pop-up kiosks.
Demographics expert and author Matt Carmichael (who refers to himself as a big TPG fan) told TPG Family that a few years back he was traveling to Nashville each month for work and noticed the airport offered flu shots. "It was simple, quick and easy. Totally recommend it." Why did he wait until he was traveling to get the flu shot? Carmichael said, "It was one of those things where my wife and kids had managed to get their shots at the doctor and as a busy traveler I wasn't able to find any other time. But with TSA PreCheck and status on American Airlines, I knew I'd have plenty of time at the airport to comfortably knock that off the to-do list."
Here are a few US airports currently offering flu shots:
- SFO Medical Clinic: San Francisco Airport has a clinic specializing in travel health and urgent care. They accept checks and credit cards and will offer a full receipt for reimbursement by your health insurance company.
- JFK Advanced Medical P.C.: At larger hubs like JFK in New York, there's not only a medical center but a shuttle to take you to and from your appointment. This office offers the flu shot as well as all types of other vaccinations for things like tetanus, pneumonia, yellow fever, hepatitis and more.
- UI Health O'Hare Urgent Care Clinic: At O'Hare, the medical center is affiliated with the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Science System. Throughout flu season, not only does the medical center offer the flu shot but it also sets up pop-up kiosks in Terminals 1, 2 and 3 as well.
- CareHere! Walk-in Clinic at BNA: Every year at Nashville International Airport, this clinic — that provides both urgent and primary care at Nashville International Airport — offers the flu shot to travelers in transit.
- Code 3 Emergency Room & Urgent Care at LAS: At Las Vegas' McCarran, you can get your flu shot at Code 3. As with other urgent care facilities located at airports, Code 3 takes many insurance plans or you can pay cash for the shot.
- US CareWays at PHX: The newly opened US CareWays inside Drugs & More at Phoenix SkyHarbor's Terminal 4 offers a range of urgent care and other medical service, including the flu shot.
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport: In Oahu, Hawaii, there is a medical clinic on the ground floor of Terminal 2 of the Honolulu airport. Flu shots may be available. Call before stopping by: (808) 836-6643.
It's best to call your airport ahead of time to find out if there is a facility that offers flu or other travel-related vaccinations that will be open when you travel through. If you are interested in getting your kids a flu shot, be aware that age restrictions at these clinics may vary. You can also visit Vax Before Travel for a breakdown of locations offering flu and other vaccinations that you can schedule at community pharmacies and even pop-up kiosks before your trip.
How Much Will a Flu Shot Cost?
With the US medical system setup the way it is, the answer to the question "How much will it cost?" is "It depends." Flu shots are generally covered by health insurance though some policies may require a copay. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cost for the influenza vaccination for an adult is about $20. Expect to pay an additional fee for the service provider and/or facility.
Bottom Line
While there is no 100% guaranteed way for travelers to avoid catching the flu, flu shots can help reduce your odds. Have you ever used an airport medical clinic for a flu shot or other vaccination?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.