Is It Too Late To Get A Flu Shot
If it turns out you dont have the flu, and you havent received your flu shot, then you can get one on the spot. To schedule your flu shot and/or COVID-19 vaccine or booster at a CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic nearest you, visit cvs.com or use the CVS Pharmacy App.
Schedule your flu and COVID-19 vaccines today! These vaccines are an important way to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illness.
Better Protection Against The Flu
As noted earlier, better HI antibody responses are known to correlate with protection against influenza infection and reduced clinical disease risk. Yet while it is very encouraging that Fluzone HD induces higher serum antibody titers without significant safety concerns, the jury is still out on whether this actually translates into fewer confirmed cases and serious complications from the flu.
As a condition of licensure under FDAs accelerated approval process, the agency instructed Sanofi Pasteur to conduct a head-to-head study to compare Fluzone HD and Fluzone in 27,000 to 30,000 adult subjects 65 years of age and older. That study will be conducted over three flu seasons to try to account for typical fluctuation in vaccine efficacy, which is related to differences between the flu virus that arrives and the strains picked in advance to make the vaccine. The first season is already enrolled, with the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons to follow. Until that study is finished and the results are known, Fluzone HDs labeling informs providers and recipients that there have been no controlled studies demonstrating a decrease in influenza disease after vaccination with Fluzone High-Dose.
So It Offers More Protection From The Flu
Exactly. A 2014 study published in The New England Journal of Clinical Medicine, which involved more than 30,000 adults aged 65 and older, found that participants who received the high-dose flu vaccine had 24% fewer flu illnesses compared to those who got the standard flu vaccine.
Another study, carried out during the 2013-2014 flu season and published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine in 2017, found that the high-dose flu shot was associated with a lower risk of hospital admissions compared with the regular flu shot in people age 65 and over. This was particularly true for those living in long-term care facilities.
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Why Is Getting Your Flu Shot So Important
It is important to get your annual flu shot for many reasons. First and foremost is that the flu vaccine can help prevent you from getting the flu. Second, according to the CDC, vaccinated people are less likely to go to the doctor for the flu2 and also have a reduced risk of hospitalization with the fluby 33% in adults age 65 and older.3 The flu shot can also help protect or reduce the effect of flu symptoms in people with chronic health issues related to heart disease,2 as well as people who have diabetes.3
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Costs Of Flu Shots Under Medicare
If youre enrolled in Medicare, you can receive one free flu shot each flu season at no cost to you.
Medicare Part B covers the vaccination, and all deductibles and copayments are waived.
If youre enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, the shot is still free, but you may need to have it administered by a doctor or pharmacy inside your plans provider network.
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Does Cvs At 1329 Target Way Morgantown Wv 26501 Offer Flu Shots
Flu shots are offered at the CVS Pharmacy at 1329 Target Way Morgantown, WV 26501.
Schedule your flu shot ahead of time so you can get in and out faster. Provide your insurance information and answer questions online ahead of time. Shop cold and flu and stay prepared this cold and flu season with immunity support products and more.
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Medicare Part D Covers Flu Medications And Other Vaccines You May Need
Medicare Part D is an optional prescription drug plan. Plans vary in copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and drug coverage. These plans cover other vaccines when they are reasonable and medically necessary. Common vaccines covered under Part D include:
- All Part D plans must cover the shingles vaccine, Shingrix
- Tdap vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis
- MMR vaccine
- BCG vaccine for tuberculosis
- Meningococcal vaccines
- Hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines for individuals considered high-risk
The amount you pay for your vaccine may vary depending on where you get vaccinated, says Gail Trauco, RN, BSN-OCN, a patient advocate and founder of Medical Bill 911. Be sure to check your plans coverage rules and see where you can get your vaccine at the lowest cost. Typically, you will pay the least for your vaccinations at in-network pharmacies or at a doctors office that coordinates with a pharmacy to bill your Part D plan for the drug and the injection.
Although the flu shot is not covered by Medicare Part D, antiviral medications used to treat the flu are covered. These include generic Tamiflu, Relenza, and Xofluza.
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Does Medicare Cover Flu Shots
Flu shots are essential to protect your health during the fall and winter months.
Flu season typically begins in November and lasts through April. The highest number of cases usually occurs between December and February. Influenza, informally called the flu, causes fever, cough, sore throat, headaches, fatigue, and body aches.
For those older than 65, the flu is dangerous and potentially life-threatening. This population has the highest risk of developing complications from the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , which can lead to hospitalizations and even death. During the 2018-19 flu season the last normal flu season42.9 million people got sick 647,000 were hospitalized and 61,200 died in the United States. Ninety percent of all hospitalizations from the flu occurred in people over the age of 65 years old, according to a study co-authored by CDC and published in 2019. The statistics for the previous two years are lower than typical due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Getting an annual flu shot is the single, best way to prevent the seasonal flu and its complications, according to the CDC. Some people who get the flu shot might still get sick however, a study published in 2018 found that people who did get the flu after getting the vaccine had milder symptoms and a reduced risk of being hospitalized.
Who Shouldnt Get The Flu Shot
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people younger than 6 months old or those with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in a flu vaccine shouldnt get the vaccine. For more information on the types of flu vaccines that are available and who should speak to their doctor first, .
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This Flu Seasons New Arrival: Fluzone High
For the first time since the flu vaccines introduction in the 1940s, Americans aged 65 and older will have the option of receiving a high-potency flu vaccine during the current 2010-2011 season. Last Decembers FDA approval of Sanofi Pasteurs Fluzone High-Dose proves once again that sometimes successful ideas also are the simplest ones. Instead of the 15 micrograms of each of the three hemagglutinin viral surface antigens included in standard TIV preparations, Fluzone HD delivers 60 mcg – four times as much – in the same 0.5 mL dose for intramuscular injection. A different colored syringe plunger distinguishes it from regular Fluzone provided in a prefilled syringe. Everything else about the two products is the same. Immunogenicity findings from three clinical trials in persons 65 years of age and older demonstrate that Fluzone HD elicits substantially higher hemagglutinin inhibition titers than the standard dose. In the largest of these studies, the mean post-vaccination antibody titer elicited by Fluzone HD against the A/H1NI, A/H3N2 and B flu strains was 70 percent, 80 percent and 30 percent higher, respectively, than the titer elicited by the standard-dose vaccine. Additional important evidence of the enhanced immunogenicity of Fluzone HD is revealed by comparative seroconversion and seroprotection findings, as summarized in Table 2.
What Is The Trivalent Flu Vaccine For Seniors
According to the CDC, âFlu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination.â
These antibodies protect against infection from the viruses that were used in the vaccine. In this case, the vaccine uses the flu virus. Because the flu usually comes around in different strains seasonally, itâs essential to update your vaccine every year.
The Trivalent flu shot is formulated every year to match the influenza strains experts project to be problematic during the upcoming flu season. The prefix âtriâ indicates three strains included in the vaccine .
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What Are Fluad And Fluzone High
FLUAD and Fluzone High-Dose are the two high-dose vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for people ages 65 and older.
Fluzone High-Dose has four times the antigen in a standard dose, and FLUAD pairs the regular vaccine with an adjuvant, which causes a more robust immune response in the person who receives the vaccine.
In sum, flu shots for seniors are generally stronger than a standard dose. Research finds a higher dosage is more effective for older people.
Not only does FLUAD help with flu immunity, but it also has been proven to cause fewer flu-related hospitalizations in seniors.
Experts recommend seniors look into Trivalent, FLUAD, and Fluzone High-Dose vaccines. Be sure to talk to your doctor to see which one is right for you.
Do You Need A Flu Shot This Year
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , people over the age of 65 are at a very high risk of developing dangerous complications from the flu.1 If you are over 65 years old and/or have autoimmune issues , getting your Medicare-covered flu vaccine is your best defense at protecting you from the flu or lessening the effects of it.
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Are Flu Shots Free For Seniors
For seniors who have Medicare Part B, C, or D, one flu shot per year is free. Medicare will cover two flu shots if a second shot is deemed medically necessary by a healthcare provider. Some seniors, however, do not have these Medicare plans and might need to pay out of pocket for the flu shot.
Without Medicare, Medicaid, or other health insurance, the cost for Fluad or Fluzone High-Dose can range from $130 to $220 depending on your pharmacy.
Get Fluad coupons | Get Fluzone High-Dose coupons
New Research Comparing The New Fluzone High
Old age is no place for sissies, the film actress Bette Davis observed late in her life while lying in a hospital bed. When this years influenza season comes around, Americans over age 65 will be gently reminded of this fact as theyre urged and prodded to get their annual flu shot. And, more than two-thirds of seniors do so these days – not the 90 percent that public health experts have called for, but a lot better than the woefully low 30 percent vaccination rate in this age group just 20 years ago.
People over 65 years of age, and particularly those well beyond 65, are hit especially hard by seasonal influenza. In fact, in this age group, a case of the flu is most likely to lead to serious or life-threatening complications, especially in those with chronic pre-existing conditions, such as cardiac and pulmonary disease. In the elderly in particular, a bout of the flu also can progress to primary influenza pneumonia or secondary bacterial pneumonia.
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Do Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Flu Shots
Medicare Advantage plans cover flu shots since they must, at minimum, cover everything under Original Medicare.
Just like with Original Medicare, you will pay nothing for this and will be covered for a flu shot each flu season.
The one difference is that Medicare Advantage plans typically require you to receive care within a plan network. So, you may have to get your flu shot from a doctor or facility that is included in your plan instead of getting the shot from any doctor who accepts Medicare.
This also may affect whether you can get the flu shot at your local pharmacy if it is outside your network. If you have Medicare Advantage and youre not sure where you can get a flu shot, you can check with your plan provider.
Talk To Your Pharmacist Or Nurse Practitioner Prior To Your Vaccination
Before administering your vaccination, the immunizing pharmacist or nurse practitioner will want to know about any medical conditions you might have, any previous reactions to vaccines, and your medication history if you fill your prescriptions at another pharmacy. They will also be able to advise on any side effects that may result from your vaccination.
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How Safe Is Fluzone High
Some side effects were reported more frequently after vaccination with trivalent Fluzone High-Dose than after standard-dose inactivated flu vaccines. The most common side effects experienced during clinical studies were mild and temporary, and included pain, redness at the injection site, headache, muscle aches, and malaise. Most people had minimal or no side effects after receiving the Fluzone High-Dose. In a study comparing Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent with trivalent Fluzone High-Dose, some of these side effects were slightly more common with the quadrivalent vaccine, but most were mild and resolved within a few days.
Does Medicare Cover Shingles Shots
Proper diagnosing and treatment for shingles must first begin with a doctors visit. Part B pays for 80% of the doctors fee-for-service. Although, you must first have met your annual deductible amount.
Most Supplement plans cover your medical bills and filling in your gaps. But, once your doctor diagnoses you with the Shingles, medication, and vaccines are essential for treatment.
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Why Is There A Need For Flu Vaccines Designed Specifically For People 65 Years And Older
People 65 years and older are at increased risk of developing serious complications from flu compared with young, healthy adults. This is partly because human immune defenses become weaker with increasing age. During most seasons, people 65 years and older account for the majority of flu hospitalizations and deaths. In the United States, between about 70 percent and 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths and between 50 percent and 70 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations have occurred among people 65 years and older. The weakened immune system can also mean that older people dont respond as well to flu vaccination. Given the higher risk of severe flu illness and lower protective immune response after vaccination among older adults, substantial research and development have led to the production of new flu vaccines intended to provide better immunity in this age group.
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Which Medicare Services Cover Flu Shots
Flu shots are covered under Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, so long as your provider or pharmacy is one that accepts Medicare payment.
Because Medicare Advantage plans must offer at least the same coverage as Original Medicare, your Medicare Advantage plan also covers flu shots once a flu season. Private health plans may not require that you get a referral to receive the flu shot, but they may require that you receive the shot within your planâs network of providers. Like Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans cover the full cost of the flu shot. Overall out-of-pocket costs such as premiums and deductibles may vary for these plans, but the deductible does not apply in this situation, if the plan has one.
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Do Medicare Advantage And Medicare Supplement Plans Cover The Flu Shot
Medicare Advantage plans, which are often referred to as Medicare Part C, are offered by private insurance companies and typically include Part D, or prescription drug coverage. These plans provide a way to get additional Medicare benefits based on your individual needs.
Medicare Advantage plans cover 100% of the Medicare-approved amount for an annual flu shot, says Christian Worstell, a North Carolina-based licensed insurance agent. Plus, he notes, Medicare beneficiaries with a Medicare Advantage plan typically wont have to pay a coinsurance or copayment for the flu shot. Thats true as long as you visit a doctor who accepts Medicare and the terms of your Medicare Advantage plan, he says.
Meanwhile, Medicare Supplemental plansalso known as Medigap plansare designed to fill in the gaps of Original Medicare and provide you with supplementary coverage you might need. Since Original Medicare already covers the flu shot, you dont need to use a Medigap plan to help pay for it.
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