More About The Flu Shot
Anyone can get the flu. Even if you are healthy, its important that you get a flu vaccine each year to protect yourself and your family. Find out why . All people, six months and older, should get an annual influenza vaccination. The flu shot is especially important, if you are:
- 65 years or older
- pregnant
- living with or caring for others who are high risk for developing serious complications, like pneumonia
- managing asthma, diabetes or chronic lung disease
You should consult with your provider before getting a flu shot if you have had a bad flu shot reaction, are currently ill or have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome.
All flu vaccinations given by Allina Health are pre-filled, latex free and contain no preservatives.
The flu vaccine will not protect you against the swine flu.
Are You A Comfort Giver Or A Flu Giver
Those adverts helped the trust win a Flu Fighter Award from the NHS Employers organisation in 2019. More importantly, they helped the trust convince a high number of employees to get flu vaccines. In fact, thanks to several years of promotional campaigns, the trust has increased the share of frontline health care workers who have been immunised to 76.1 percent in 2018-2019, compared with just 33 percent a few years earlier. As Jude Tipper, Head of Marketing, Communications and Engagement for the trust said, We knew that the creative concept for this campaign was hard hitting and would get people talking about their reasons for having or not having their flu jab.
Getting workers to talk and to get a flu jab is important as it can save organisations money while saving workers misery. Flu vaccines represent a true win-win situation, says Dr Lori Stetz, Senior Medical Director, Aetna International. Smart organisations make every effort to get their workers vaccinated because they realise how expensive the alternative is financially due to lost productivity, and emotionally due to low workforce spirit.
Where To Get A Flu Shot If You Don’t Have Insurance
If you don’t have insurance, the best place to get a flu shot is usually a pharmacy, according to Rite Aid’s executive vice president of pharmacy and retail operations, Jocelyn Konrad. The cost typically ranges from $30 to $40, but there will be no copay or office visit fee, as there would be if you went to a traditional primary care office.
Some pharmacies offer discounts or promotions to incentivize flu shots, such as CVS’s “$5 off $20” coupon when you get your flu shot.
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Does Cvs At Denver Colorado Offer Flu Shots
Flu shots are available at CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations, including CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations found in Target, every day, including evenings and weekends. 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. Find more flu shot FAQs and other flu vaccination resources.
*FOR FLU SHOTS: Flu shots available when immunizing pharmacist or MinuteClinic health care provider is on duty. Age restrictions apply. Eligible patients will not pay any copayments unless otherwise required by their plan, including Medicare Part B. Back
*FOR FLU SHOT RECOMMENDATION: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Frequently asked influenza questions: 2020-2021 season. Updated July 28, 2020. Available at: . Accessed August 3, 2020. Back
Understanding Who Is At Risk
Heres an overview of the factors that raise the risk of serious illness with the flu:
Adults 65 years of age and older: Older adults, especially those living in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, have a high risk of serious flu complications. Immune responses generally decrease with age. During past flu seasons, an estimated 70% to 85% of deaths and 50% to 70% of hospitalizations due to seasonal flu have occurred in this age group.
Young children: Flu is more dangerous for children than the common cold. Children under 5 years of age, especially those under the age of 2, have a higher risk of developing pneumonia, dehydration and brain problems after catching the flu.
Pregnant women: Changes in the immune system, heart and lungs that occur during pregnancy raise the risk of severe flu complications. Flu symptoms may also harm a developing baby. For example, fever is a common flu symptom that can cause neural tube defects and other problems as the baby grows. When a pregnant woman has a flu shot, she can pass antibodies to her baby, which helps protect the infant after birth.
Heart disease and stroke: Studies have found that heart disease is one of the most common conditions among adults hospitalized for the flu. Flu has also been associated with an increase in heart attacks and strokes.
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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.
Important Information About Our Pharmacy Directory
You can use the pharmacy finder tool to find network pharmacies for $ Medicare plans. We call them network pharmacies because weve contracted with them to provide prescription drugs to $ Medicare plan members. In most cases, your prescriptions are covered under our plan only if theyre filled either:
- Through our mailorder pharmacy service
Once you go to a pharmacy, youre not required to keep using the same pharmacy to fill your prescriptions. You can switch to any of our other network pharmacies. Well fill prescriptions at non-network pharmacies under certain circumstances. See those circumstances in the Evidence of Coverage.
We update the pharmacy finder tool once every two weeks. This online search tool contains our most uptodate pharmacy network information.
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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.
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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Currently In Treatment What You Need To Know
If youre currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, its critical to talk with your doctor about getting a flu shot. Chances are, it will stand as your best chance for warding off flu.
In addition, talk to your doctor about neutropenia, a decrease in the number of white blood cells. He or she can advise you on when during your treatment protocol your numbers are likely to be the lowest its usually within seven to 12 days of chemotherapy. Thats because, in addition to killing cancer cells, chemotherapy also destroys some of your healthy white blood cells.
During these times, youll want to be on even higher alert for signs of infection. In addition to flu-like symptoms, these include:
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Increased urination, or burning and pain when you pee
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New pain
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Redness, soreness and swelling in any area, including near surgical wounds or treatment ports
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Stiff neck
Call your doctor and ask about getting a prescription for antivirals if you find out youve been within six feet of someone who has, or is suspected to have, the flu. And call for immediate medical help if you develop a fever. You might have sepsis, an extreme and life-threatening response to infection.
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.
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How To Get A Flu Shot With An Aetna Medicare Plan
To use your Aetna Medicare Advantage plan to receive a fully-covered flu shot, youll first want to schedule an appointment with a participating provider. Simply log into your secure online Aetna account and use the companys provider search tool to locate a participating pharmacy, clinic, doctors office or other provider near you who offers flu shots.
You can also use the online Aetna Find a Pharmacy search tool to locate an Aetna-participating pharmacy near you where you may receive the flu shot at no cost.
Can I Get The Flu Shot At My Local Pharmacy
Some of the most common vaccinations like flu vaccines are covered through your prescription plan. Check with your plan sponsor about specific coverage and copayment information.
If flu vaccines are covered, you and all other members covered by your plan can go to a local participating pharmacy to get the flu shot. Please note, every state has specific regulations regarding age restrictions, which vaccines can be administered by a certified pharmacist, and if a prescription is required.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that in the 2018-19 flu season, only about 45% of adults received their flu shot. This year, more than ever, we encourage as many Americans as possible to get the flu vaccine even those who havent been vaccinated in the past to help in the fight against COVID-19. Its especially important for pregnant women, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions to get the flu vaccine not just this year, but every year.
If you cant find the answer to your question, please contact us.
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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.
Is The Flu Vaccine Effective
Each year, scientists monitor flu activity worldwide to determine which flu strains are likely to cause illness, then develop a vaccine to match. Some years, the vaccine is more effective than othersbut even if it isnt a perfect match, it significantly lessens the severity of the flu if you do get it.
It takes about two weeks after vaccination to build your immunity against the flu. So unless you have a life-threatening allergy to eggs or a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome, I recommend that you get your vaccine nowbefore the height of flu seasonand encourage those you love to do the same. I get my flu shot every year in September and it carries me through to May. Play it safe and protect yourself and those you love.
Editors note: The care and safety of our community during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is our top priority. We have put maximum safety measures in place to prevent exposure to the coronavirus for anyone who comes to the hospital for emergent or scheduled care. To learn more about what were doing to continue to keep you safe, visit our Coronavirus Digital Resource Center.
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Flu Shots For Babies And Children
Young children and babies have a higher risk of contracting the flu, so it’s even more critical for them to get vaccinated. However, babies younger than 6 months cannot receive the vaccine, so families with infants should take extra precautions.
Parents and caregivers of children under six months should be vaccinated to prevent getting the flu and passing it along to an infant. And anyone who comes in contact with a young infant should also be vaccinated.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
Can I Get A Flu Shot And A Covid Shot Or Booster At The Same Time
Getting your flu shot and COVID-19 booster at the same time is safe.
Yes, you can! If you’re eligible for a COVID-19 booster, you can get your booster and your flu shot at the same time, saving yourself a trip to the clinic or doctor. Similarly, if you’re not yet fully vaccinated against COVID-19, it’s safe to get your first or second COVID-19 vaccine along with your yearly flu shot, as long as you follow the recommended schedule for both vaccines. Most of the pharmacies, clinics and doctors’ offices who offer flu shots will also offer free COVID-19 shots.
“While limited data exist on giving COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines, including flu vaccines, experience with giving other vaccines together has shown the way our bodies develop protection and possible side effects are generally similar whether vaccines are given alone or with other vaccines,” the CDC says on its website. “If you have concerns about getting both vaccines at the same time, you should speak with a health care provider.”
Research so far has confirmed the CDC’s guidance that it’s safe to give the COVID-19 vaccine and influenza vaccine at the same time.
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The Best Flu Shot Deals At Cvs Target Publix And More
If youre looking for a place to get a flu shot, theres a good chance your local pharmacys immunization program has what you need. But as youll see, some pharmacies may have better flu shot prices and deals than others.
In this article, Im going to show you some major grocery and pharmacy chains offering flu shot deals as of September 2021.
Cancer And Flu: A Dangerous Combination
Physicians cant say for sure whether people who have, or have had, cancer face a higher risk of catching the flu. However, they do know for certain that patients and survivors have a higher risk of serious complications from the flu. You might be more likely to visit the hospital, or even die, if you get infected.
Why? Some types of cancer including lymphomas, cancers of the tissues and organs involved in the production of infection-fighting white blood cells directly affect your immune system. In other cases, treatments like chemotherapy suppress your ability to fight infectious diseases.
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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.
Get A Flu Shot To Protect Your High
Getting a flu shot is the single most important thing you can do to avoid the flu and minimize your symptoms if you happen to catch it. But its also an effective way to reduce the spread of the virus and help protect your loved ones, friends, coworkers and neighbors who have a higher risk of getting seriously ill.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months get an annual flu shot. The flu vaccine is to protect against specific strains of influenza that are the most likely to circulate in the upcoming flu season.
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Preventing The Spread Of The Flu
Even if this years vaccine is not a good match and even if most people in the office fail to get vaccinated, there are other steps you can take to keep workers healthy. After University of Arizona researchers discovered how quickly viruses spread in that 80-person campus office, they repeated their experiment. This time, however, they first implemented a healthy workplace initiative that include hygiene instructions and free tissues and hand sanitiser. This time, the rate of infection dropped below 10 per cent. The take-home message here is that very simple interventions that we all kind of know about have great efficacy, said Associate Professor Kelly Reynolds, a co-principal investigator on the study. Using tissues to wipe your face, using hand sanitizer or having it available for use and washing your hands before lunch and after a big meeting resulted in an 80 per cent reduction across the board, for all three viruses, in their risk of infection.
Of course, those same measures also protect people against the common cold, stomach bugs and other communicable illnesses. For example, the average adult has two to four colds each year, while the average child has six to 10 colds each year and those mostly occur during flu season.
Flu accounts for around 159 million working days lost across high-income countries and for those aged 50-64, this loss in productivity costs the global economy $39 billion per year.