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No-cost VA flu shots for eligible Veterans

Vaccine Image

By Aubrey McQueen, Public Affairs Specialist

It’s time to get a flu shot!

Getting a flu shot protects you, your family, and your community.  And if needed, you  can safely get vaccinated for COVID at the same time you get a flu shot – one visit, two vaccines. (Call ahead so your community provider has COVID vaccine available.)

 

Eligible Veterans can get a no-cost flu shot from a nearby VA clinic or within their community. To find a flu shot near you, visit our VA locator.  You can choose a nearby VA facility or one of 70,000 in-network pharmacy or urgent care locations nationwide. Simply type in your zip code. 

 

Flu Shots at Your Local VA

No-cost flu vaccines will be available beginning Sept. 19, 2022, at the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) on a walk-in basis and all Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) by appointment. Eligible Veterans may receive a flu shot on the following dates and times:

  • Beginning Sept. 19, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the auditorium on the first floor of the medical center.
  • Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the auditorium on the first floor of the medical center.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the auditorium on the first floor of the medical center.
  • Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the auditorium on the first floor of the medical center.
  • During scheduled appointments
  • By appointment at your CBOC

 

Flu Shots in Your Community
No-cost flu vaccines are available at retail pharmacies and urgent care locations from Sept. 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023.  Find an in-network community care provider by choosing a location in the drop-down menu of the VA Locator.               
 

Get a no-cost flu shot at a community provider in VA’s network

Beginning Sept. 1, 2022, eligible Veterans can choose from one of nearly 70,000 in-network retail pharmacies and urgent care/walk-in locations to get their flu shot.

The provider must be part of VA’s community care network:

  • Retail pharmacies include most supermarket and local pharmacies.
  • Many urgent care locations offer walk-in care.
  • Call ahead to see if a pharmacy participates in the VA flu shot program.
  • If you receive a flu shot from a non-network provider, you may be liable for the cost of the vaccine.

 

Who can get a flu shot at a community provider?

You are eligible to receive a flu shot at an in-network retail pharmacy or urgent care location if:

  • You are enrolled in the VA health care system, AND,
  • You received care from a VA provider or an in-network community care provider within the past 24 months

How do I know if I am eligible?

  • Call 800-MyVA411 )

Select option 1 (urgent care information)

Select option 3 (urgent care information)

Select option 1 (check urgent care eligibility)

The system will verify your eligibility for the community urgent care benefit, which includes the flu vaccination.

  • Or call your local VA facility
  • Your state may have age and health-related restrictions.

NOTE: Family members and beneficiaries are not eligible.

 

Where can I get a no-cost flu shot?

To locate a VA medical facility, in-network urgent care or retail pharmacy near you, use the VA Locator, here’s how:

  • Choose a Facility Type from the drop down:
  • Select VA health for VA medical center locations
  • Select Urgent Care, for “All in-network urgent care”
  • Select Community pharmacies (in VA’s network)
  • Click search
  • choose a provider

    What should I know before I go?

Before you go:

  • Call to ensure the urgent care provider or retail pharmacy offers the no-cost flu shot benefit and the vaccine type you are seeking (some flu vaccines are for people aged 65 and older).
  • Bring the billing information flyer located here (print it or take a screenshot on your phone )

When you arrive:

  • Tell the provider you are a Veteran enrolled in VA health care.
  • Tell them you would like to receive the flu shot paid for by VA.
  • Show your government-issued ID and the billing information flyer located here. (Print, take a screenshot or pull up this page at time of vaccine.)
  • There is no cost to you if your visit is only for a flu shot. 
  • You should not pay a copay if you only get a flu shot.

 

Who updates my medical records?

The community provider will send your flu shot vaccination documentation to VA. VA will update your medical record. You can also request a copy of your flu shot documentation and provide it to your VA provider.

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