Get your flu shots — soon!

10/06/2021

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this fall and winter.

That’s why the CDC is recommending you get your flu shot in September or October. It takes about two weeks for the shot to start protecting you, which is why you shouldn’t wait until the middle of flu season to get your shot.

Getting a flu shot will not protect against COVID-19, but it will decrease your chances of getting the flu and its related health risks. It can also help reduce the spread of flu, which puts many people in the hospital each year.

Can people have COVID-19 and flu?

Yes, it is possible to have COVID-19 and flu at the same time. Experts are still unsure how common this will be.

The flu alone kills thousands of people each year and sends hundreds of thousands more to the hospital. As a result, the CDC recommends that people older than six months get a yearly flu shot.

Avoiding the weeks of fever, severe headaches, and muscle aches and pains makes getting a flu shot worth your time.

Protecting others

You can spread the flu, even if you don’t know you have it, which is why your decision to get a flu shot will also help protect vulnerable members of your community, including people with existing health problems. Those considered vulnerable have the highest risk of serious, even life-threatening, complications from the flu.

As a HealthSelectSM participant, you can get a flu shot at no cost at an in-network provider. If your agency or higher education institution does not schedule an on-site vaccination clinic for employees, your primary care provider can probably give you your flu shot. Many retail health clinics, like those in grocery stores and pharmacies, offer flu shots too—just make sure they’re in-network.

For help finding an in-network provider to get a flu shot, call a BCBSTX Personal Health Assistant toll-free at (800) 252-8039, Monday—Friday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT.

You may also be able to get the flu vaccine through your HealthSelect prescription drug plan (PDP). For more information about PDP benefits, call toll-free, (855) 828-9834.