Can I Get A Free Flu Shot
Sometimes, but not always.
If you have insurance, you can get a discounted or free flu shot almost anywhere, including local pharmacies, chain pharmacies and your primary care doctor’s office.
If you go to urgent care, the shot itself might be free or discounted, but you’ll likely have to pay the copay. And at your doctor’s office, they’ll probably offer the shot for free, but you might have to pay for the office visit if it isn’t covered by your insurance — keep these things in mind when weighing your options.
Getting Vaccinations At Retail Pharmacies
Duke’s health insurance for employees and retirees includes coverage for the flu vaccine and other common vaccinations at participating retail pharmacies with no co-payment required. Currently, the available vaccines are for:
- COVID-19
- Influenza
- HPV
- Hepatitis B
- Shingles
North Carolina law restricts which vaccinations retail pharmacists can offer, and not all pharmacies are set up offer vaccines to their customers.
Employees are encouraged to check with the pharmacy to determine if they offer pharmacist-provided vaccines. To be eligible for the no co-pay vaccinations, an employee must show proof of insurance from one of Duke’s health plans and a participating pharmacist must give the vaccination.
Employees are encouraged to obtain proof of vaccination for employee records. This is particularly important for the Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations which are required as a condition of employment.
What Are The Side Effects Of The Flu Vaccine
Common side effects of the flu vaccine include: soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, fever, headache, nausea, and muscle aches.
Less common side effects may include: fainting, Guillain-Barre syndrome , and allergic reactions.
Egg Allergy: Eggs are used in the production of some flu vaccines. Those who experience only hives after eating eggs or egg-containing products may still receive any flu vaccine formulation appropriate for their age and health status. Those with a more severe egg allergy should only receive a flu shot in a medical facility that is prepared to handle a severe allergic reaction .
Recommended Reading: Can You Give Flu And Pneumonia Vaccine At Same Time
Booster Dose Of Influenza Vaccine
Liao and colleagues noted that booster influenza vaccination has been recommended for patients with chronic renal disease in order to enhance the immune response to the influenza vaccine however, the effectiveness of a booster influenza vaccination is a matter of controversy. These investigators performed a meta-analysis to determine the effectiveness in patients with hemodialysis , peritoneal dialysis and renal transplant recipient . The sero-protection rate was used as a serologic parameter to describe the immune response to the vaccine. Statistical analysis was performed to calculate the pooled rate difference and 95 % CI. The pooled RD for the H1N1, H3N2 and B influenza vaccines was 0.02 , 0.05 , 0.04 , respectively. The authors concluded that a booster dose of the influenza vaccine did not effectively enhance immunogenicity. Therefore, a booster dose of vaccine is not recommended for patients with hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and renal transplant recipients.
Can I Still Get The Flu If I’ve Been Vaccinated
Yes. Those who have been vaccinated may still get the flu. This can be caused by one or more of the following:
- Exposure to the virus before vaccination
- Exposure to the virus during the two-week period after receiving vaccination, before immunity develops.
- The possible strains of the flu that may be circulating are not included in the flu vaccine.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration reviews the flu data and determines the combination of viruses most likely to prevent the flu each year. Despite the amount of research that goes into the flu vaccine composition, the virus is constantly changing.
Therefore, the vaccine may not be a perfect match to the current circulating virus. The good news is, those who have been vaccinated generally have a milder case of flu than those who are unvaccinated.
You May Like: Can You Have The Flu And No Fever
Who Should Get A Flu Shot
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu shot every season. Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza:
- Children aged 6 months to 5 years
- Pregnant women
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
People who live with or care for those at high risk for serious flu complications should get a flu shot every year too:
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age
- Healthcare workers
During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, the ACIP makes recommendations regarding priority groups for vaccination.
You Should Get A Flu Shot If Youve Had Covid
Do you need a flu vaccine if you have COVID-19 or if youve had it in the past? The short answer is an emphatic yes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has different recommendations on the ideal timing for getting a flu vaccine, depending on whether you currently have COVID-19 or you have recovered, as well as the severity of your illness.
Don’t Miss: Cvs Wakefield Ri Flu Shots
Are There Medicines To Treat The Flu
People diagnosed with the flu or with suspected flu infection and at high risk of serious flu complications should seek treatment immediately.
There are prescription medications available that can lessen fever and flu symptoms, shorten the length of flu illness, and reduce the risk of complications. It is best if they are taken within 2 days of the start of flu symptoms.
The four FDA approved prescription medications for the treatment of flu are oseltamivir phosphate , zanamivir , peramivir , and baloxavir marboxil .
Upmc Childrens Community Pediatrics
Contact your UPMC CCP office to learn more about getting your flu shot:
- While in the office for another reason
- At special flu shot clinics
- At drive-up or drive-through flu clinics
Current patients can schedule a flu vaccination appointment by calling your UPMC CCP office. Select locations are offering the flu vaccine for your entire family upon request.
Recommended Reading: How Old Is The Flu Vaccine
Postpone Your Flu Shot If You Have Covid
The best way to protect yourself and others against seasonal flu infection this fall or winter is to get a flu shot. According to the CDC, the flu shot reduced the risk of flu by 40% to 60% when the vaccine was well matched to the viruses estimated to be spreading in previous flu seasons.
But if you have a suspected or confirmed coronavirus infection, the CDCadvises postponing a flu shot until after your symptoms have resolved. This recommendation is essential if you are very sick, but it also applies if you tested positive for COVID-19 and do not have any symptoms.
Where Can You Get Free Flu Shots
Free flu shots are easier to find than you might think. If you’re a college student, most colleges offer free flu shots on-campus, while many employers offer free flu shots to their staff, says Dr. Sonpal.
Free flu shots are also available at your local pharmacies and some grocery stores. CVS and MinuteClinic locations in Target, for example, offer free flu shots every day at no cost through most health insurance policies and with no appointment necessary, according to a CVS representative.
Walgreens offers free flu shots through most health insurance policies, as well. You can get vaccinated during pharmacy and clinic hours every day without an appointment. The pharmacy is also currently running its “Get A Shot. Give A Shot” campaign: For every shot administered at a Walgreens pharmacy or health-care clinic between now and January 31, 2020, Walgreens will donate a vaccine to a child in need, “up to an aggregate donation value of $2.6 million,” says Rina Shah, pharmacy operations group vice president of Walgreens.
Wholesale clubs like Sam’s Club and Costco offer free flu vaccinations, tooand you don’t even have to be a member to get one, adds Dr. Sonpal. Military veterans enrolled in healthcare through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can also receive a free vaccination at Veterans Affairs health-care facilities.
Recommended Reading: How Much Does It Cost To Get A Flu Vaccine
Do I Have To Make An Appointment
The COVID-19 vaccine requires making an appointment ahead of time at CVS.com. Most other vaccines are available on a walk-in basis. Same-day appointments are often available online. You can also answer the vaccine-specific questionnaire online instead of filling it out in person.
You may want to call ahead to your local CVS Pharmacy and make sure your desired vaccine is in stock. You can also check to see if theres a wait at the store or clinic.
/28 Flu Vaccine Requirement For Students
All USC students taking in-person classes or living in university-owned residences in Fall 2021 are required to complete immunization for influenza by . Students living in off-campus residences and taking classes remotely are also strongly encouraged to get a flu vaccine.
This requirement will help mitigate the potential simultaneous impact of flu and COVID-19 during the seasonal flu timeframe in the fall/winter months. Exact timing of flu season may vary, but activity often begins to increase in October flu activity typically peaks between December and February, although activity can last as late as May.
Flu vaccines are currently available through USC Student Health for students in the campus vicinities. Students are routinely offered flu shots at all in-person visits and locations, including the COVID-19 testing areas . Students may also make appointments through the student health records portal, .
Why Take A Flu Vaccine?
Cost Flu vaccines administered through USC Student Health have no cost for SHIP/Aetna plan members the vaccine cost for students on other plans is $20 and is added to your student account. Flu vaccines are routinely a covered benefit of most insurance plans and are offered through many retailers, including USC Pharmacies. Learn more key facts from the CDC.
Exemptions Students who are unable to take a vaccine must complete an exemption form, available at .
Also Check: Flu Shot And Blood Sugar
Should I Get A Flu Shot If I Got A Covid Shot
Getting your flu shot is extra important this year to avoid a “twindemic.”
Yes, yes and yes again. The COVID-19 vaccines cannot protect you against the flu, nor can the flu shot protect you from COVID-19. So if you want protection against both COVID-19 and the flu, you’ll need two separate vaccines.
Getting a flu shot is important because it can save our hospitals from overflowing. The flu puts hundreds of thousands of people in the hospital every year, from the flu itself and from flu-related complications, such as pneumonia.
Dr. Nabeel Chaudhary, an internist at Manhattan Specialty Care, says everyone who can get the flu shot should get it. To optimize health and safety, everyone who gets a flu shot should “use all recommended precautionary measures, including hand sanitizer and face masks while leaving their homes to get the vaccine and for any other reasons,” Chaudhary says. “These measures will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and flu.”
As a reminder, you can get your flu shot when you “go to the doctor for any other reason,” Chaudhary says. So if you already have an appointment scheduled for something else, minimize your trips to the clinic by getting your flu shot then. You can also try a pharmacy or quick clinic, Chaudhary says .
What Is The Flu Shot
The flu vaccine work by stimulating your immune system to develop antibodies against the viruses included in the vaccine. The vaccine can:
- prevent you from getting the flu
- make the flu less severe if you do get it
- keep you from spreading the flu to others
The flu vaccine is updated annually to protect you from the virus strains expected this flu season, which may change from flu season to flu season. Because the common flu strains may change, it is important to be vaccinated each year in order to be protected from the current flu strains.
You May Like: High Dose Flu Vaccine Who Should Get It
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 .
How Much Do Vaccines Cost At Cvs
Here are the retail costs for several in-demand vaccines at CVS Pharmacy:
| In-demand vaccines | |
|---|---|
| Tdap | $77 |
If you live in an area that has both CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic, compare prices and insurance coverage. You may be able to get a slightly better price by shopping around. You may also be able to ask one store to match the price of the other.
Also Check: What’s The Name Of The Flu Vaccine
Does A Person With Medicare Get Flu Shots For Free
If a person has Medicare Part B, a Medicare Advantage plan, or private health insurance, they can get a flu shot for free.
The Affordable Care Act requires that insurance companies cover the cost of the flu shot. Plus, under the ACA, insurers cannot charge a copayment, per the Department of Health & Human Services.
A person should check with the site providing the shot to make sure they accept assignment from Medicare or accept Medicare Advantage. People with private insurance should check their plan to make sure they can get the shot from a particular location for free.
Some insurance plans cover the shot only if a person receives it from their doctor. Other plans provide coverage if the shot comes from certain other locations as well.
Where Can I Find Flu Shots Near Me
Most local pharmacies offer flu shots, as do drug stores and quick clinics. All of the major chain pharmacies in the US — CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger — offer flu shots at most of their locations across the country.
Each one offers its own pharmacy finder:
Your local pharmacy probably offers flu shots, too.
You can also ask your primary care physician about getting a flu shot. Many urgent care clinics also offer flu shots, but you might have to cough up a copay — which is still better than coughing up your lungs if you get the flu.
You May Like: Does Cigna Cover Flu Shots
Who Should Not Get A Flu Shot
Talk with a doctor before getting a flu vaccine if you:
- Have a severe allergy to eggs
- Have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination
- Children younger than 6 months of age
- People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever
- People with a history of GuillainBarré Syndrome that occurred after receiving the influenza vaccine and who are not at risk for severe illness from influenza should generally not receive the vaccine. Tell your doctor if you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Your doctor will help you decide whether the vaccine is recommended for you.
You can get a flu vaccine at the same time you have a respiratory illness without fever or if you have another mild illness.
What To Expect From Your Flu Shot
You can get a flu shot at most Allina Health clinics any time throughout the influenza season, which typically lasts from October through May. We offer:
- injectable influenza vaccine for those six months of age and older,
- nasal influenza vaccine for those ages two – 49 years of age,
- egg free influenza vaccine for those four years of age and older
- senior influenza vaccine for those 65 years of age and older.
You can get a flu shot as part of an appointment with your provider, or you can come to a clinic for a shot-only appointment.
After receiving the shot, your body needs two weeks to develop antibodies against the viruses. This means you can become sick with the flu before protection from the vaccine starts.
Recommended Reading: Is The Flu And Cold The Same
Frequently Asked Questions And Resources
Q. Who should get a flu vaccine?
A. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1 recommends everyone 6 months and older get the flu vaccine. It is very important for people at higher risk of developing serious flu complications to get the flu vaccine. This includes healthcare workers and caregivers of children younger than 6 months.
Q. What should I do if I have flu symptoms?
A. Stay home and avoid contact with other people . Flu symptoms include fever, muscle aches, chills, cough, sore throat, fatigue and headache. Contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
Q. Where can I get my flu shot?
A. You can get your free or low-cost2 flu shot at any of the following locations. Visit one of the websites below or log in to your member website to find a location closest to you.