Influenza (flu) Vaccinations

Your health care team recommends getting the updated 2025-2026 influenza vaccine. This helps protect the health of not only yourself, but also family, fellow Veterans, newborns, and the elderly. Flu vaccines can decrease your chances of hospitalization and they are available to all eligible and enrolled Veterans at no cost.

Flu shots still available

January is too late for flu shots, right? No... In fact, according to the Wyoming Department of Health, transmission levels continue to increase across the state as of their report that was updated Jan. 5, 2026.

If you didn't get yours yet, call and schedule your appointment now. Call us 24/7 at and press "2" to speak with one of our team.

Flu shots in the community

Enrolled Veterans may also get no-cost flu vaccines at pharmacies and urgent care locations across Wyoming. To find a close-to-home, in-network community care provider, search by entering in your home zip code in the drop-down menu of the VA locator (https://www.va.gov/find-locations). Please share the date and details with your VA team afterward for medical record documentation.

Did you already get yours in the community? Please let your care team know so they can document it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to commonly asked questions, taken from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website.

When should I get vaccinated?

For most people who need only one dose of influenza vaccine for the season, September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated against influenza. Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October.

Who is at higher risk for flu complications?

Additional information and details at: People at Higher Risk of Flu Complications | CDC

Why do some people not feel well after getting a seasonal flu vaccine?

Some people report having mild side effects after flu vaccination. The most common side effects from flu shots are soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given. Low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches also may occur. If these reactions occur, they usually begin soon after vaccination and last 1-2 days.

Side effects from the nasal spray flu vaccine may include: runny nose, wheezing, headache, vomiting, muscle aches, fever, sore throat and cough. If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after vaccination and are mild and short-lived. The most common reactions people have to flu vaccines are considerably less severe than the symptoms caused by actual flu illness. More details at: Misconceptions about Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines | CDC

How are Influenza (Flu) Vaccines Made?

For the United States there are three different flu vaccine production technologies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

egg-based flu vaccine,

cell culture-based flu vaccine, and

recombinant flu vaccine.

All commercially available flu vaccines in the United States are made by private sector manufacturers. Different manufacturers use different production technologies, but all flu vaccines meet FDA safety and effectiveness requirements. Different vaccines have different indications. See Different Types of Flu Vaccines for more information. More details about this topic at How Influenza (Flu) Vaccines Are Made | CDC