Stay healthy together: Get your flu shot now

It’s that time of year, the start of flu season. Getting your flu shot is an easy way to help keep yourself and those around you safe and healthy.

No-cost flu shots are now available to eligible Veterans. Be a part of the solution to a healthier community by getting your flu shot today. No-cost flu shots are available at your local VA medical center, in-network community pharmacies or urgent care locations nationwide.

Here are the four steps to getting your flu shot in the community:

1. Check your eligibility before you go.

To check your eligibility (for the community urgent care benefit, which includes the flu shot):

• Call 800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411), select option 1 (for urgent care information), option 3 (for urgent care information), and then option 1 again (to check urgent care eligibility), or
• Contact your local VA medical center.

Eligible Veterans are:

• Enrolled in the VA health care system, and
• Received care from a VA- or community care-provider within the past 24 months.

No prior approval is needed to get a flu shot.

2. Find a participating provider.

To find an in-network provider, go to the VA Facility Locator. On the search page:

• City, state or postal code: Enter your ZIP code.
• Facility Type: Select “Urgent Care” or “Community pharmacies (in VA’s network).” If you select “Urgent Care,” choose “In-network community urgent care.”
• Click “Search.”
• Choose a provider.

You can also call 877-881-7618 or your local VA medical center for help locating a community provider. Make sure the provider is in-network to avoid being charged for the flu shot.

3. Before going to the provider:

• Call ahead to make sure they have flu shots available and provide them on behalf of VA.
• Take the billing information card with you or have it pulled up on your mobile device. The billing information card has information your pharmacist or provider might need. You may still receive your flu shot if you do not have the billing information card with you.

When you arrive:

• Tell them you’re a Veteran enrolled in VA health care, and
• You would like to get a flu shot, paid for by VA.
• Show your government-issued ID and the billing information card. You are not required to have the billing information card when you go to get your flu shot. You can still get your shot even if you don’t have the billing information card with you.

4. Get your flu shot

Copayments

There is no copayment if your visit is only for a flu shot. Flu shot-only visits don’t count toward visits and/or copayments associated with using VA’s community urgent care benefit. If you are charged for your flu shot, call 877-881-7618 for help.

Documentation

Documentation of your flu shot is sent to VA by the community provider to update your medical record. You can also request a copy of the documentation showing you received your vaccination.

Support

• For help with eligibility and general questions, call 800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411), select option 1, option 3, and then option 1 again.
• For help when getting a community flu shot, call 877-881-7618 or your local VA medical center.

Additional resources

• Flu Shots – Community Care
• Influenza (Flu) – VA National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
• Influenza (Flu) – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)