I Got My Flu Shot at Walmart Pharmacy — and You Can, Too

Fall is not all light jackets, apple picking, and pumpkin spice. The harsh reality is that flu season is lurking right around the corner.

When I heard that Walmart was offering free flu shots for the September 2025 Wellness Event, it seemed like an opportunity to do some shopping while preparing for winter with a quick and (relatively) painless immunization. But even if you missed the event, you can still get your flu shot at the nearest Walmart Pharmacy, and it’s covered by most insurance plans, as are other basic immunizations for the likes of RSV and tetanus.

To avoid the rush, I made an appointment online. This was very easy to do through Walmart’s website — just click “Schedule now" here — and it allowed me to confirm that my insurance was accepted and on file. (Trips to the pharmacy can feel more like trips to the DMV if you don’t get that stuff squared away in advance!)

An appointment isn’t necessary, however; you can walk in any time during pharmacy hours, which vary by store location and vaccine supplies. (My local Walmart in the suburbs of Chicago was out of COVID-19 vaccines due to high demand.) So it’s always a good idea to call ahead.

This was not my first flu shot, of course, but it was one of my most efficient — from entering the line to getting my Band-Aid, I was in and out in 20 minutes. This left plenty of time to peruse the Halloween aisles and grab a bag of fun-size Twix bars as a treat for prioritizing my health. (Far more painful than the shot itself was the line at the self-checkout on a Saturday afternoon.)

Schedule your flu shot now at Walmart.com