OKC Veterans can receive no-cost flu shots and COVID vaccinations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone aged six months and older receive a flu shot yearly to protect themselves and their loved ones. Vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness and its potential complications.

“Flu is highly contagious and can be life-threatening for older Veterans and those who have chronic problems, such as diabetes or heart failure. Pregnant women are also at high risk,” said VA Oklahoma City Health Care System Director Wade Vlosich. “By getting a flu shot, Veterans reduce their risk of illness and hospitalization from flu. Last year, we delivered 30,522 flu shots to Veterans, and this year, the goal is to vaccinate even more Veterans.”

Flu shot clinic details:

• Date:
  Tuesday, October 15th
  Friday, October 18th
  Monday, October 21st
  Friday, October 25th
• Time: 8am-3pm
• Location: SE Entrance Lobby (Near the information booth)

Eligible Veterans can choose from one of more than 65,000 in-network community pharmacies and urgent care locations to get a flu vaccine nationwide. The provider must be part of VA’s network. To find an in-network community provider, go to Find VA Locations | Veterans Affairs , enter your ZIP code and select "Urgent Care" (choose “In-network community urgent care”) or "Community pharmacies (in VA’s network)."

You can also call (877) 881-7618 or (405) 456-1000 for help locating an in-network community provider. In addition, enrolled Veterans will be offered a flu shot at their primary care appointments.

Flu can spread quickly from person to person. Here are some steps Veterans can take to stop the spread of the flu:

• Get your flu shot: The flu shot is the best way to slow the spread of the flu. Flu viruses change, so make sure to get a flu shot annually
• Know how flu spreads: Flu viruses can spread through droplets in the air and by touching contaminated surfaces. You can spread flu one day before symptoms appear and up to five days after getting sick.
• Recognize flu symptoms: Fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny nose and nausea or vomiting.
• Clean hands and surfaces: Wash your hands frequently and clean high-touch surfaces.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes: Use a tissue or sleeve to prevent germs from spreading.
• Stay home when sick: This reduces the risk of spreading the flu to others.

During flu season, it is expected that COVID-19 will continue to circulate in the United States, and COVID-19 vaccinations are expected to continue. Current guidance for administering COVID-19 vaccines indicates that these vaccines can be administered with other vaccines, including flu shots.

Getting a flu shot protects you, your family and the community from getting sick. The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System provides flu shots and COVID vaccinations for Veterans. The VA is going one step further—offering Veterans to visit participating pharmacies and community care partners and get free vaccinations closer to home. Eligible Veterans can get a no-cost flu shot from nearby VA clinics or within your community from one of nearly 65,000 in-network pharmacies or urgent care locations.

Keep in mind:

• To get a no-cost vaccine, the provider must be part of VA’s community care network.
• If you receive a flu shot from a non-network provider, you may be responsible for the cost of the vaccine.
• Retail pharmacies include most supermarket and local pharmacies.
• Many urgent care locations offer walk-in care services.
• Call ahead of time to see if a pharmacy or urgent care site:
  • participates in the VA flu shot program.
  • offers the specific flu vaccine that you prefer

To learn more about the program the VA provides fact sheets, language options are available in English or Spanish. Flu vaccines are usually available September through April. Use our on-line VA locator to find locations near you.

And if you would like to get both vaccinations, you now can safely get shots for flu and COVID at the same time – one visit, two vaccines. (Call ahead to make sure COVID vaccine available). Remember, if you go to a local urgent care for your vaccine, the visit must be for vaccination ONLY for it to be covered. If you seek additional treatment on top of receiving the flu or COVID vaccine, you may be responsible for a co-payment.

You are eligible to receive a no-cost flu shot at an in-network retail pharmacy or urgent care location if:

• You are enrolled in the VA health care system
• 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 (800-698-2411) Select option 1 (urgent care information or check urgent care eligibility). The system will verify your eligibility for the community urgent care benefit, which includes the flu vaccination.
• Or call the OKC VA at 1-405-456-1000 option 2 or find your local VA facility
• Your state may have age and health-related restrictions.

For more information, please visit the below link:
Flu Shots - National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (va.gov)

Phillip Ybarra, Public Affairs Specialist

Phone: