Flu Season

Information on the 2023-2024 flu season

It’s time to get your flu shot.

Information on the 2023-2024 flu season

Veterans will be able to receive their flu shot at all Outpatient Clinics.

No-cost flu shots are available at Tampa VA and to Veterans at many locations within the community.

Visit www.va.gov/find-locations or call 877-881-7618 to find a local in-network pharmacy or urgent care. Tell them you’re a Veteran enrolled in VA health care, and show your government-issued ID.

When you’re onsite, flu vaccinations are available at—

The Main Hospital: Flu Clinic located in the Old Starbucks Shop of the Main Hospital Lobby. Flu shots will also be available in the SCI/Polytrauma Lobby (adjacent to the parking garage).
- Monday-Friday, 5:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Primary Care Annex, Brooksville, Lakeland, Lecanto, New Port Richey, South Hillsborough, and Zephyrhills Outpatient Clinics:
- Flu shots available inside the clinic and in conjunction with scheduled face-to-face appointments. Ask your PACT Team.
Flu vaccinations are offered on the following special dates/times & locations:
- Brooksville Clinic
  - Drive-thru October 10-13 from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Lakeland Clinic
  - Drive-thru October 10-13 from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Saturday October 14 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  - Veterans can schedule a flu shot appointment into the Lakeland vaccine clinic by calling .
- Lecanto Clinic
  - Walk-in availability Monday-Friday from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- New Port Richey Clinic
  - Walk-in availability Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Primary Care Annex
  - Walk-in availability Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- South Hillsborough / Riverview Clinic
  - Drive thru October 7 and October 14 from 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Zephyrhills Clinic
  - Walk in availability October 16-20 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Flu Vaccine FAQs

How does the flu vaccine work?

How long does it take before I am protected?

After you get a flu shot, it takes about two weeks for your body to make enough antibodies to protect you against flu.

Antibodies are proteins produced by your immune system that identify and help remove foreign targets such as viruses and bacteria. The flu shot helps your body build these antibodies to fight flu viruses and prevent you from getting sick.

Can I get the flu from a flu shot?

This is a common misconception. You cannot get the flu from a flu shot because only inactive (dead) flu virus is used to make the flu shot vaccine.

If you get the flu soon after getting a flu shot this could mean:

You were exposed to the flu virus before the flu shot took effect.

You have a weak immune system or other illness that causes your body to take longer to make antibodies and build immunity.
Your body fails to make antibodies after getting a flu shot.
The flu shot vaccine does not match all the flu viruses that are currently spreading.

Is the flu shot safe?

Yes, the flu shot is both safe and effective. Most people have no serious side effects or allergic reaction to it.

Some people may have redness or swelling on their arm where the shot was given. A very small number of people may get minor body aches, a headache, or a low fever that lasts a day or two.

The Health and Medicine Division (formally known as the Institute of Medicine) of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reviewed more than 1,000 research articles and concluded that few health problems are associated with vaccines. Learn more about these findings.