Get your flu shot with TRICARE

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — With the days growing shorter and the kids back at school, flu season is on the way.

The flu can spread quickly, especially during the fall and winter months. Getting vaccinated reduces your risk of serious illness. TRICARE covers the flu vaccine for eligible beneficiaries, helping protect you and your family this season.

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

What to know about the vaccine

The flu virus changes rapidly. This means that each year’s flu shot only provides protection for that year’s strains. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone aged 6 months and older, with rare exceptions. 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 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 live with people who are at high risk for flu complications, it’s important to get vaccinated.

There are many different flu vaccine products. Consult with your provider to determine which vaccine is best for you.

When is the best time to get vaccinated?

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

You may be eligible to get vaccinated for other respiratory illnesses, like RSV or COVID-19, at the same time. Your provider can discuss your options for getting those vaccines.

Where can I get vaccinated?

There are three ways you can get vaccinated at no cost, as described in the TRICARE Pharmacy 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 symptoms

The most common symptoms of the flu includes:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Tiredness

You can spread the flu before symptoms appear, or with no symptoms at all. Getting vaccinated can help protect others around you. If you do get sick, symptoms may be less severe if you’ve received the vaccine.

Steps to prevent spreading respiratory diseases 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’re sick, 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.