FALLS CHURCH, Va. – With children back in school and temperatures dropping, flu season is quickly approaching. Although most respiratory illnesses share common symptoms, the flu is more serious than the common cold. It can lead to hospitalization and even death in severe cases. Flu season generally runs through fall and winter, and one of the best things you can do to protect your health is get a flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the flu vaccine for all people aged 6 months and older (with rare exceptions).

“There are multiple benefits to getting the flu vaccine,” said Jeannine Pickrell, MS, RN, Population Health, TRICARE Health Plan, at the Defense Health Agency. “Not only are you taking precautions to keep yourself healthy during the fall and winter months, but you’re also taking steps to protect the community, including family and loved ones.”

Learn how to get your TRICARE-covered flu vaccine today.

When is the best time to get vaccinated?

Generally, September and October are the best months to get the flu vaccine. Getting it too early can limit the effectiveness of the vaccine. However, getting the vaccine later in the flu season still has benefits, since the virus will still be circulating. Flu season usually peaks in February and can continue into May.

According to the CDC, there are some populations who are at higher risk for having complications from the flu. It’s especially important for people in these groups to get the flu vaccine. This group includes:

People aged 65 and older
People with certain chronic medical conditions
Pregnant women
Children younger than 5 years old (and especially children under 2)

Additionally, if you’re a health care worker or live with populations who are at high risk for flu complications, it’s important to get vaccinated.

What version of the vaccine should I get?

There are many different versions of the flu vaccine. Which one you should get depends on your age, health conditions, and preferences. Consult with your provider to determine which version of the vaccine is best for you.

Where can I get vaccinated?

There are three ways you can get these vaccines at no cost, as described in the TRICARE Pharmacy Program Handbook:

Go to a military hospital or clinic.
Go to a TRICARE retail network pharmacy. Make sure the person who gives you the vaccine is a pharmacist. If another type of provider (like a doctor or nurse practitioner) gives you a vaccine at a participating pharmacy, you may have out-of-pocket costs.
See a TRICARE-authorized provider. However, if you get other services at the same time, you may have to pay copayments or cost-shares. These costs vary based on your health plan.

Note: Before getting the vaccine, call to check if you need an appointment and if the vaccine is available. Remember to bring your Uniformed Services ID card.

Recognizing flu symptoms

The most common flu symptoms include:

Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Body aches
Tiredness

You can have the flu before symptoms appear, so getting vaccinated can help prevent you from getting the most prominent strains of the influenza virus. Even if you do get sick, the symptoms may be less severe if you’ve received a flu vaccine.

Other steps to prevent spreading the flu include:

Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
Covering coughs and sneezes
Washing your hands often
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

If you do get sick, it’s important to stay home until you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours and your symptoms are improving.

Talk to your provider if you have questions about vaccines. For more information on TRICARE’s vaccine coverage, check out Immunizations. To learn more about the flu vaccine, read "Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones: Get Your Flu Shot With TRICARE."

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