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 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.

One visit two vaccines logoThe 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 (800-698-2411)
    • 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.

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:

  • Enter the city, state or postal ZIP code for your location.
  • Choose a facility type from the drop-down menu.
  • 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).
  • Before you go, print or bring this billing information on your phone to your retail pharmacy or urgent care flu shot visit.

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.
  • For assistance with in-network community flu shots, call 877-881-7618 or your local VA medical facility.

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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Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

18 Comments

  1. John James September 15, 2022 at 10:54

    This article says absolutely nothing about needing a Medicare card !!!

  2. William McClellan September 13, 2022 at 09:20

    Arrived at my scheduled CVS flu shot appointment, only to be told the VA is denying claims. CVS had no idea why. After a few calls & digging, I found out the VA has not sent out the billing code for the flu & covid shots. Hello, VA, send out the billing codes. Please…

  3. Leon Stewart September 12, 2022 at 18:36

    I was at the Lou Stokes vA hospital in Cleveland Friday the 9th of sept they wasn’t giving the flu or any of the necessary shots,. They indicated that they didn’t have any shots. Leon Stewart.

  4. Roy September 12, 2022 at 18:32

    I was at Leavenworth VAMC this morning. My MC has not received their shipment …

  5. Edward J Wisnewski September 12, 2022 at 18:05

    Does the VA hospital in LaJolla CA have the new Covid Booster?

  6. Bill September 12, 2022 at 15:43

    Went to my scheduled flu shot appointment @ my local CVS. I called CVS customer relations to find out why CVS is denying VA patients. I also stated CVS is listed on VA communications as an in-network pharmacy. I was told THE VA, not CVS, is denying approval! Would somebody at the VA put down their smartphone & fix this? Thank you, thank you very much.

  7. dom fuccillo September 11, 2022 at 11:42

    .could not find location for booster in Goodyear az

  8. Bruce September 10, 2022 at 14:33

    I called the toll free number for Kroger to verify what the VA website states, I can get my free flu shot at the Kroger pharmacy. The toll frere number got me a representative who knew nothing about this program. He suggested I call my local Kroger for this information. When I did, that representative told me they knew nothing about it at the local Kroger. I then went back to the VA website and chatted online with a third representative at the VA who could NOT answer the question about Kroger and the VA for a flu shot. This information is nice to read in it’s simplistic words, but as a functional matter both the VA and their partner, Kroger know nothing at all when talking to a real person. Words are sometimes nothing but lies. It is the government, and Vets. Thanks for nothing again VA.

  9. William R McMichen September 9, 2022 at 12:29

    network Pharmacies=?

  10. Robert Pratt September 9, 2022 at 08:47

    Too bad the the VA only provides the lowest level of protection for a flu shot for those Veterans over 65. Consistent with a second rate medical system.

  11. Dierdre Patton September 8, 2022 at 12:48

    Is the VA offering the senior flu shot?

  12. Richard Pfeiffer September 8, 2022 at 10:29

    Can my wife get her flu and Covid shot at VA when l go for mine?

  13. Ron Bumbera September 8, 2022 at 08:33

    I called the VA West Palm Beach yesterday as I have an upcoming appointment and wanted to get a covid booster, flu and pneumonia shots all in one trip. They said to contact my local VA clinic. I called Stuart, Fl. They told me the covid and flu shots were not available.

  14. Cornelius brown September 8, 2022 at 00:37

    Good news

  15. S September 7, 2022 at 23:36

    Stop saying “free.” It’s not “free.” And….stop pretending and giving a show of caring. I have not seen an organization function so incompetently while patting themselves on the back at the same time.

  16. Larry W Moseley September 7, 2022 at 21:35

    Are wives included in this?

  17. Eddie Hollingsworth September 7, 2022 at 21:05

    Good information on the availability of the Flu and Covid vaccine

  18. JOSEPH GAMBINO September 7, 2022 at 19:26

    Can my spouse get the flu shot also at the Austin VA Clinic when I get mine??

Comments are closed.

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