Members

Flu Shot (Vaccination) Information

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Protect your health: Get a flu shot.

Influenza (“the flu”) is a virus that infects the respiratory system (nose, throat, windpipe, and lungs) and can lead to serious complications like pneumonia.

The best way to prevent getting and giving the flu is to get the flu shot (vaccine) every year.

Don’t Wait - Vaccinate!

Make a flu shot appointment now to keep you and your family protected during the flu season.

The flu vaccine is covered by your health plan and there isn’t any out of pocket cost.

There are several ways to get a flu shot:

  • Local pharmacies may offer flu shots. Search the Provider Directory for pharmacies near you. Call ahead or visit the pharmacy’s website to check if that location offers a flu shot. You may need to schedule a visit before you go.
  • Your primary care provider can give you a flu shot. The phone number is on the back of your ID card.
  • You can visit vaccinefinder.org to find a place nearby to get your flu vaccine.

If you have questions about your health coverage, call Member Services at (855) 665-4623, TTY: 711, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., local time.

Why Get a Flu Shot?

Getting a flu shot is important to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community from the flu. Like wearing a mask, it’s a safe and easy action we can take to keep ourselves and others healthy during the pandemic. It will also help save limited medical resources for COVID-19 patients. 

Who Should Get a Flu Shot?

According to the CDC, everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot, especially our most vulnerable community members.

Healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu, and it can lower the body’s defenses to other infections, including COVID-19. A flu shot lowers the chances that children and adults will end up in the hospital when they catch the flu.

Getting your flu vaccine will protect your loved ones, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness and COVID-19. People who may be more vulnerable to the flu include:

  • People 65 years of age and older
  • People with underlying medical conditions, such as lung and heart disease, neurologic disorders, weakened immune systems, and diabetes
  • African Americans, Latino, and Native populations, who are more often affected by chronic medical conditions
  • Caregivers and residents in long-term care facilities
  • Essential workers who frequently interact with each other and the public

Myths and Truths About the Flu Vaccine

Myth Truth
A flu vaccine can give you the flu.

A flu shot will not give you the flu.

It’s possible to have a short-term reaction to the flu shot, but you cannot get the flu from the vaccine. Getting a flu shot is your best protection against the flu during the winter months.

Even if you do get the flu, the flu shot can help keep you from getting seriously ill from the virus and lowers your risk of being hospitalized.
I’ve been vaccinated before, so I don’t need to get a flu shot again. It is important to get the vaccine every year. Flu vaccines are updated every year to better fight the changing flu viruses.
Having the flu is just like having a bad cold. Some flu and cold symptoms are the same, such as a sore throat and sneezing, but the flu is a serious disease that claims thousands of lives in the United States each year.
I’m healthy, so I don’t need to worry. Everyone benefits when communities are vaccinated. Even if a person has no flu symptoms, he or she can spread the virus to more vulnerable people.