What is the flu?

Flu is a common, contagious respiratory virus that can cause mild to severe illness and can be life-threatening. According to the CDC, flu is transmitted when infected persons sneeze, cough, or talk. It can also spread by touching infected surfaces or objects, such as desks and phones. While the flu and common cold may share symptoms, they are caused by different viruses.

When is flu season?

Flu infections can happen at any time of year but occur most frequently during the fall and winter months. Getting a flu shot before flu season starts is the best way to protect yourself and your family. Visit the CDC’s website to learn more about the flu.†

†By clicking the link above, you will leave publix.com and enter the CDC site that they operate and control.

Schedule flu vaccines

Can I get my flu shot and COVID-19 booster at the same time?

Yes. You can receive multiple vaccines during a single visit, including the flu shot and COVID‑19 booster, if eligible. Ask your Publix pharmacist.

How much does the flu shot cost?

Flu shots are covered by most health insurance plans, Medicare Part D plans, and Medicaid plans with no out-of-pocket costs for eligible individuals. Medicaid coverage varies by state. Individual costs vary. Ask your Publix pharmacist.

How do I get my $5 digital gift card after I receive my flu shot?*

• If you already have an active account, you don’t need to do anything extra. The gift card will be emailed to the address associated with your account within 24–96 hours.
• Otherwise, download the Publix Pharmacy app or visit rx.publix.com.
• Create or log in to your Publix account.
• Add yourself to the account as a patient along with the prescription number on your flu shot paperwork.
• Within 24–96 hours, you will receive an email with your $5 digital gift card.

The promotion offers a $5 Publix digital gift card for Publix Pharmacy account holders who receive a flu shot at Publix during the promotion period.

The promotion begins at 12 a.m. ET on July 15, 2026, and continues while supplies last. Publix reserves the right to terminate this promotion at any time in its sole and absolute discretion.

Eligible individuals must be 18 years or older as of date of flu shot administration and be linked to a Publix Pharmacy account as a patient.

Gift cards are limited to one per patient.

Yes, patients must have a Publix Pharmacy account or open one within 14 days of receiving the flu shot.

• If you are a Club Publix member, log in at rx.publix.com.
• If you are not a Club Publix member, visit rx.publix.com to sign up.

Click “Add patient” and follow the on-screen instructions.

• The system will confirm if you are already linked to your account.
• If you are not linked, input a prescription number from a recent prescription filled by Publix Pharmacy or the prescription number found on your flu shot paperwork.

Gift cards will be delivered to the email address associated with the customer’s account. The email will be sent from Buyatab, a third-party vendor who supports Publix gift cards.

The digital gift card will typically be sent within 72 hours.

To activate the gift card, follow the instructions in the email that accompanied it.

Gift cards can be added to your Club Publix account or scanned at checkout.

The gift card can be used for most purchases at Publix.

The gift card can be used to pay for prescriptions in the store. It cannot be used for online pharmacy purchases.

You can find additional FAQs related to gift cards here, or you can contact the Buyatab eGift card team by using the eGift card inquiry form, calling Buyatab customer support at 1.877.202.5460, or emailing publix@buyatab.com.

If you have not received the gift card, allow up to 96 hours to receive it, check your junk email folder for the email from Buyatab, or contact Publix Customer Care.

*Restrictions apply. The promotion begins at 12 a.m. ET on July 15, 2026, and continues while supplies last at participating retail Publix Pharmacy locations. To be eligible, individuals must be 18 years of age or older at the time the flu shot is administered, receive a flu shot at a participating Publix Pharmacy during the promotion period, and have or create a Publix Pharmacy account and be linked as a patient on the account within the required time frame. Limit one gift card per Publix Pharmacy patient. Digital gift cards are emailed from our third-party vendor, Buyatab, to the email address associated with the Publix Pharmacy account and are typically emailed within 72 hours of flu shot administration. Publix reserves the right to terminate this promotion at any time in its sole and absolute discretion.