The flu shot is covered under your preventive care benefits at no cost to you when you get care within your plan medical group.
Ask about a flu shot at your next appointment.
Find a flu vaccination clinic, site or appointment near you.
A flu shot helps keep you from getting sick and makes illness less severe.
People six months of age or older should get a flu shot to protect themselves and loved ones.
Infants and children between 6 months to 8 years old may need two doses.
Flu shots reduced the risk of medical visits by 22%-34% and by 30% for hospitalizations in adults.
Flu shots reduced the risk of emergency room visits and hospitalizations by 53% in children 6 months to 17 years old.
Flu shots prevented 180,000 hospitalizations during the 2024-25 flu season.
Flu shots prevented 12,000 deaths during the 2024-25 flu season.
Influenza (flu) is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently. Millions of people get the flu and can be hospitalized or die from flu-related causes every year.
An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your risk of getting sick with seasonal flu and spreading it to others. Plus, when more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through the community.
Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies protect against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine defends you from the influenza viruses that are likely to be most common during the upcoming flu season.
Everyone six months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every flu season. Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza.
If your child is between 6 months to 8 years old and never had a flu shot or only received one dose before July 1, they will need two doses of the flu vaccine. The two doses must be given at least four weeks apart. Learn more about childhood immunizations.
You should get a flu vaccine before flu begins spreading in your community. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against flu. Make plans to get vaccinated early in fall before flu season begins.
You should get a flu vaccine in the fall, if possible. Getting vaccinated later can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later.
Children who need two doses of vaccine should start the vaccination process sooner, because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart. Talk to your child's doctor to see if they need one or two doses of flu vaccine.
Check with your primary care physician or call the After-Hours Nurse Advice line.
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