Where Can I Get A Flu Vaccine Locally
Flu vaccines are offered in many doctors offices, clinics, health departments, and pharmacies. Flu vaccination is generally a covered service with most health insurance plans when you get your vaccine with an in-network provider .
Find flu vaccine near you
Visit vaccines.gov or contact your health insurance provider.
Can I Get A Flu Shot And Covid
Yes, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine at the same time, per CDC recommendation.
There are other vaccines you can receive with the flu shot, as well including shingles, pneumonia, whooping cough, and others. Your pharmacist can help you decide what is best for you.
Save a trip and schedule multiple vaccines for one appointment.
The Best Way To Avoid The Flu
Getting an annual flu shot is a no-brainer for lots of Americans about 148 million of us. Health-care workers, adults over 65, people with chronic health conditions and parents of young children tend to make it part of their fall routine, like breaking out the winter coats or decorating for the holidays.
You see, the flu is not just a bad cold that keeps you in bed for a few days. It can be dangerous, especially for kids and seniors. On average, 200,000 Americans are hospitalized due to flu-related illness every year. And depending on the severity of the flu season, the virus kills between 12,000 and 56,000 people nationwide.
But numbers are hard to relate to, so Ill give you an example. Over Thanksgiving weekend, a 20-year-old mother of two little children in Phoenix, Arizona, caught the flu from family members and died two days later. According to news reports, the otherwise healthy woman had not received her flu shot. While theres no guarantee that the flu shot would have saved this young mom, it would have boosted her odds of being protected.
This flu season looks to be long and harsh. Australia is coming off one of its worst flu seasons in years, where the influenza A strain caused more than double the infections as last year and was responsible for 81 percent of flu-related deaths. The young mom in Arizona died from that same strain.
Not convinced? Keep reading to learn the real answers to common questions about the flu shot.
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Does Aetna Medicare Cover Flu Shots
- Aetna Medicare Advantage plans cover flu shots, as do all Medicare Advantage plans and Part B of Original Medicare. Learn what other benefits some Aetna Medicare Advantage plans may offer and how you can find a plan that fits your needs.
Yes, Aetna Medicare Advantage plans cover flu shots.
With the COVID-19 vaccine being available at no cost to consumers, many older adults may also wonder about the cost and coverage of a flu shot. Beneficiaries enrolled in an Aetna Medicare plan can have their flu shot covered by their Medicare plan in the same way the shot would be covered by Original Medicare .
This Search Uses The Five
Each main plan type has more than one subtype. Some subtypes have five tiers of coverage. Others have four tiers, three tiers or two tiers. This search will use the five-tier subtype. It will show you whether a drug is covered or not covered, but the tier information may not be the same as it is for your specific plan. Do you want to continue?
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A Special Offer From Us: Complimentary Flu Shot For You*
*This complimentary is for only individual members. Excluding Cancer insurance plan and Travel insurance.The complimentary flu vaccination will be available between 25th May and 25th Sep 2022 at participating hospitals.bit.ly/whoflu2022This vaccination may not be suitable for pregnant/breastfeeding women and members with egg allergies as well as those belonging to a high risk group. Please consult with the treating doctor prior to receiving the vaccination. How to redeem your free flu shot
When Should A Person Get Vaccinated
Flu viruses usually cause the most illness during the colder months of the year. In the United States, flu season is from October to May.
The best time to get a flu vaccine is before flu season starts. Getting it as soon as it’s available, usually around September, gives the body time to build immunity. Your mom or dad can find out about vaccine availability from your doctor’s office, or you can ask your school nurse.
Even if you can’t get vaccinated right away, getting it later is better than not getting it at all. It’s still flu season in January or February even then it’s not too late for you to get the flu vaccine. And getting a flu vaccine late in the season is especially important for people who travel. That’s because the flu can be active around the globe from April to September.
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Is It Too Late To Get Your Flu Shot In Hawaii
HONOLULU Still havent gotten your flu shot. Well, its not too late according to health officials.
Even though the holidays are over, people can still come down with the flu and the best way to protect yourself and others is getting your flu shot.
Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news
According to Hawaiis Department of Health , the flu and a cold are similar, but unlike a cold, the flu typically comes abruptly.
Who Should Get The Flu Shot
Everyone ages 6 months and older should get the flu shot. Its especially important for high-risk groups: pregnant women, young children, adults 65 and older, and anyone with a health condition, like asthma or diabetes, or a compromised immune system.
I hear some generally healthy people say, No thanks, I never get the flu. I dont need it. Consider getting vaccinated to protect your loved ones, friends and community. While you may not develop flu symptoms yourself, you can still carry the virus and pass it on to those more vulnerable. Imagine giving the flu to your elderly parent, your neighbors baby or a coworker.
If you do one thing to safeguard your health this year, I urge you to get your flu shot. Theres no easier way to be a health hero.
Many health insurers, including Aetna, offer the flu shot at no cost to members. Call your plan provider or primary care physician to learn more.
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Why Get The Flu Vaccine
If you’ve ever had the flu, you know how bad it can make you feel. To help skip all that misery as well as possible health problems from the flu doctors recommend that all teens get a flu vaccine every year.
There are other good reasons too:
- It’s extra important for people with some medical conditions to get a flu vaccine. They are more likely to have serious health problems when they get the flu.
- Kids and teens who take aspirin regularly also need the flu vaccine. They’re at risk for getting a serious condition called if they get the flu.
- Getting vaccinated protects the people around you. Because you’re less likely to get the flu and pass it on, you help protect people who might get very ill from the flu like babies, people with serious medical conditions, and the elderly.
Are Flu Shots Effective
Flu shots dont offer 100 percent protection, its true. Your protection level depends on a variety of factors, including how well the vaccine matches the strains that are circulating in your community. But remember this: If you do get vaccinated, the antibodies you build up offer some cross-protection against the other strains, so you wont be as sick or as contagious.
So you can still get the flu even if you get the shot. But if I told you there was a shot that offered 60 percent protection against death by car accident, cancer or heart disease, wouldnt you take advantage of it?
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School Of Nursing Students
- School of Medicine/ School of Nursing students are required to obtain flu vaccination if their school-related activities require them to be present in Health System facilities. If the flu vaccine is received outside of Student Health and Wellness , students must submit proof of vaccination to the Healthy Hoos patient portal by 12/2/22. Students who wish to request a medical or religious exemption must submit the Medical and Nursing Student Vaccination Exemption Request Form by 12/2/22, located here.
Flu Shots Are Now Available At Walmarts 4700+ Pharmacies With New Features And Safety Precautions For Covid
BENTONVILLE, Ark., Sept. 8, 2020 Walmart is helping customers and associates live better, healthier lives by making it easier than ever to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu.
New this year, the retailer is launching a digital scheduler, so customers can book an appointment for a flu shot at any one of Walmarts 4,700+ pharmacies for a fast and efficient visit. Additionally, Walmart stores nationwide will host in-store events offering customers convenient flu shots, while following COVID-19 safety precautions.
Also new this year, Walmart is making sure its 1.5 million associates have access to flu shots with no out-of-pocket costs, regardless of their insurance status, so the countrys largest workforce can stay healthy and continue to serve communities throughout flu season. Flu shots are now available at the retailers 4,700+ pharmacies nationwide.
Flu shots are more important than ever in light of COVID-19. With our health care system facing the strain of the pandemic on top of the annual flu season, getting a flu shot can help lessen the burden on the health care industry while also protecting against at least one of the viruses affecting our well-being, Dr. Tom Van Gilder, Walmarts Chief Medical Officer, said. Were all anxiously awaiting the COVID-19 vaccine, but by getting a flu shot now, we can do our immunity service to help keep our communities safe and healthy this fall.
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Other Preventive Care Covered By Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans
Aetna Medicare Advantage plans can cover a range of additional benefits for preventive care. Coverage can vary, but some Aetna plans may cover:
- Annual wellness visits
- Various screenings and tests for a range of conditions including cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes and much more
- Tobacco cessation counseling
Its Just The Flu After All Nothing Simple Bed Rest And Liquids Cant Cure Right
And pneumonia: It might take some time and antibiotics. But it, too, is treatable, right?
Not quite. Theres more to it than that.
Most people do get better from the flu without problems, but the flu and pneumonia can be deadly. They both can lead to serious health problems, or can make an existing disease worse.
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Can The Flu Shot Make Me Sick
No, flu vaccines cannot cause flu illness. Some people report having mild side effects after flu vaccination, such as:
- Low-grade fever
- Arm pain at the injection site
To help ease the pain and avoid the symptoms, you can take a pain reliever like Tylenol or Ibuprofen for muscle aches, headaches and a low-grade fever.
For arm pain, apply a cool compress and keep your arm moving after the shot.
Get the facts about the flu
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Better Late Than Never For Getting A Flu Shot
Would you rather kick off the New Year fighting the flu with fever, body aches and vomiting or working your resolutions? We thought so.
Its not too late to get the flu vaccine. Most people 6 months and older should get it.
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seasonal flu activity is elevated across the country. It estimated flu has caused at least 15 million illnesses, 7.3 million medical visits, 150,000 hospitalizations and 9,300 deaths in the U.S. so far this season.
Many hospitals are over-extended due to the tripledemic of flu, COVID and another respiratory virus called RSV. You can help not just yourself, but also your community to stay healthier with a flu shotand your COVID booster, if you havent gotten it yet.
You can get a shot at your doctors office, at an in-network pharmacy or at a retail health clinic. As a HealthSelectSM medical plan participant, you can get the flu shot at no cost to you when you go to an in-network provider. For help locating in-network providers, call a BCBSTX Personal Health Assistant toll-free at 252-8039, Monday Friday, 7 a.m. 7 p.m., and Saturday, 7 a.m. 3 p.m. CT.
The HealthSelect Prescription Drug Plan administered by OptumRx covers routine vaccines at 100% when you use an in-network pharmacy. To learn more about the flu and ways to prevent it, check out Flu Awareness & Prevention under Member Education on www.HealthSelectRx.com.
The Reality Is Getting The Flu Shot Is More Important Than Ever
Dont put it off. Set up an appointment today or check if your pharmacy or provider accepts walk-ins.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the seasonal flu virus causes millions of illnesses and thousands of deaths each year. With COVID-19 still very much active around the country, emergency rooms and urgent care clinics are anticipating record number of flu patients during the fall and winter this year. Obtaining a flu shot can help prevent those visits and thereby, prevent the co-mingling of flu patients and COVID-19 patients, who can infect each other and spread their viruses to other patients and into our communities. You can positively impact your community vaccination rate reducing the demand for COVID-19 testing, as the early symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 are similar: fever, chills, body aches and a cough.
There are new high dose vaccines this flu season for use in adults age 65 an older. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what is best for you. The primary public health goal is to have as many people immunized as possible, to optimize your chances of not getting the flu this season.
MHBP covers the flu vaccine at no cost to you when rendered by a network provider or a vaccine network pharmacy. Your health matters and we are here to help.
If you need help locating a provider, use our Find a Provider tool.
Healthy Living
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Applied Behavior Analysis Medical Necessity Guide
The Applied Behavior Analysis Medical Necessity Guide helps determine appropriate levels and types of care for patients in need of evaluation and treatment for behavioral health conditions. The ABA Medical Necessity Guide does not constitute medical advice. Treating providers are solely responsible for medical advice and treatment of members. Members should discuss any matters related to their coverage or condition with their treating provider.
Each benefit plan defines which services are covered, which are excluded, and which are subject to dollar caps or other limits. Members and their providers will need to consult the member’s benefit plan to determine if there are any exclusions or other benefit limitations applicable to this service or supply.
The conclusion that a particular service or supply is medically necessary does not constitute a representation or warranty that this service or supply is covered for a particular member. The member’s benefit plan determines coverage. Some plans exclude coverage for services or supplies that Aetna considers medically necessary.
Please note also that the ABA Medical Necessity Guide may be updated and are, therefore, subject to change.
When Does Aetna Medicare Pay For Flu Shots
Flu shots are covered by Medicare Part B, and all Medicare Advantage plans are required by law to cover everything covered by Medicare Part A and Part B. Therefore, all Aetna Medicare Advantage plans cover flu shots.
Furthermore, you wont face any out-of-pocket costs for your flu shot when you receive it from a participating network provider. Flu shots fall into the category of preventive care under the Affordable Care Act .
For those on Original Medicare, the flu shot is free when administered by a health care provider who accepts Medicare assignment. If you have an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan, you can get a flu shot with no costs to meet that go towards deductibles or cost-sharing when provided by an Aetna health care provider.
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Can I Get A Flu Shot If Im Pregnant Diabetic Or Have Chronic Illnesses
Its especially important for certain people to get vaccinated, such as those who are at high risk of developing serious complications like pneumonia if they get sick with the flu. This includes:
- People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, weakened immune systems, diabetes and chronic heart or lung disease
- People ages 65& plus
- People who live with or care for others who are at high risk for developing serious complications.
The flu can be a serious disease. Any flu infection can carry a risk of serious complications, hospitalization or death, even among otherwise healthy individuals.
Our dedicated pharmacists are here for you if you have any questions related to receiving vaccinations.
Get the facts about the flu