HOUSTON - As Americans are searching for more affordable health care, retail clinics are growing across the country, Fox Business reports. Discount retailers, supermarkets and pharmacies are places that increasingly have mini-clinics that give shoppers access to flu shots, prescription refills and physicals.

In the summer of 2009, a little more than 1,000 retail clinics had set up shop in the United States, according to Deloitte. Americans looking for ways to save on health care costs, and some health plans are starting to cover visits to retail clinics because of the lower costs involved.

"These clinics address problems consumers are facing getting access to affordable health care," said Web Golinkin, CEO of RediClinic, which has locations in H-E-B Grocery stores. "There is a primary care doctor shortage and it??s only going to get worse. Physician practices are jam packed and we??re responding to what consumers want and need in terms of health care."

Retailers point out the convenience factor of having a clinic in the same store as a pharmacy. These clinics also generally stay open after normal business hours. "Retail clinics are open seven days a week, they are open in evening hours and often at times when the health care offices wouldn??t be open," said Paulette Thabault, chief nurse practitioner at the CVS-owned MinuteClinic. "If you have a sore throat or minor illnesses on a Sunday morning, a retail clinic is a convenient place to go."