Flu Vaccines Are Covered by the Medical Plan

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year. The CDC is encouraging people to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu and H1N1 to ensure they are fully protected.

Vaccination Costs Are Covered by the Medical Plan

Flu vaccines come in two forms: the "flu shot" and the nasal-spray flu vaccine. Both of these, plus their administration, are covered by the Medical Plan if you get the vaccine through your physician (the $25 copay will apply if you are charged for the office visit). Seasonal flu vaccines are available through most doctors' offices. Availability of H1N1 vaccines is currently limited, but it is expected to expand in the coming weeks.

You can also get your flu vaccine through many local pharmacies, where the vaccine is covered 100 percent by Express Scripts. More than 26,000 pharmacies are participating in the flu shot administration program. If you are not sure if a pharmacy is in your pharmacy network, use the Find a Pharmacy feature on express-scripts.com. Please contact your network pharmacy in advance to inquire about its vaccination schedule and remember to present your Express Scripts member identification card to the pharmacist.

Some state and local government offices are giving the vaccines free to certain at-risk populations. And some businesses are offering free flu shots to their employees.

Why Get Vaccinated Now?

According to flu.gov, approximately 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the seasonal flu in a typical year. It is a serious disease that causes more than 36,000 related deaths and 200,000 related hospitalizations. Getting vaccinated before December is best because this timing ensures that protective antibodies are in place before flu activity is typically at its highest.

This year brings with it concerns about H1N1 (Swine) flu, a new strain of influenza. H1N1 flu is a contagious virus that causes illness in people. The United States is experiencing an outbreak of this virus, which spreads the same way seasonal flu does. The effects of H1N1 range from mild to severe. Although most people who have been infected with this flu have recovered without medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths have occurred.

The vaccine for H1N1 is different than the one for seasonal flu; they are intended to be used alongside one another. Therefore, it is recommended that you get both vaccines, especially if you are in an at-risk category.

Who Should Get Vaccinated for Seasonal Flu?

The CDC recommends that the following individuals get vaccinated against the seasonal flu:

• children aged six months up to their 19th birthday
• pregnant women
• people fifty 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 complications from flu, including:
• health care workers
• household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
• household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than six months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

Who Should Get Vaccinated for H1N1?

Although everyone should consider getting this vaccine, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has identified the following target groups for when the vaccine is first available:

• pregnant women
• people who live with or provide care for infants younger than six months
• healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• people six months through twenty-four years of age
• people twenty-five years of age through sixty-four years of age who have certain medical conditions that put them at higher risk for flu-related complications

Flu Symptoms

You may have the flu if you have some or all of the following symptoms:

• fever
• dry cough and/or sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• body aches and/or headaches
• chills
• fatigue

H1N1 can cause vomiting and diarrhea in addition to these symptoms.

If you think you have the flu, it is recommended that you stay away from other people as much as possible, covering your nose and mouth if you must come into contact with others. You should stay home at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

Resources

For more information about the seasonal flu and H1N1, please visit:

flu.gov

• About the seasonal flu
• About H1N1
• Flu symptoms
• Flu frequent questions
• Flu vaccination
• Flu prevention and treatment

cdc.gov

• About the seasonal flu
• About H1N1
• Flu symptoms and severity
• Seasonal flu Q & A
• Seasonal flu vaccine
• H1N1 flu vaccine
• Flu prevention
• What to do if you get sick

Questions

If you have questions about Medical Plan coverage for the flu vaccine, you may call the Board of Pensions at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).