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
Topics in this story
More Stories
Caregivers ensure care for our Veteran’s doesn’t stop when they leave a VA medical center.
For the Great American Smokeout, explore VA resources and learn why every attempt to stop smoking is a step toward success.
If you’ve lost a loved one to suicide, resources and support are available to help you cope during your grieving and healing.
The VA healthcare center you use needs to e-mail you when the seasonal flu and Covid-19 shots are available. That information should include times, dates and the room numbers. It’s ridiculous to have to call around and scan websites to find out that information when a simple “blast” e-mail from that VA healthcare does the job. Chicago’s Jesse Brown VA did that a couple of years ago and then stopped. Why?
What about the COVID shot for Vets?
Nice Post! still wondering when the latest covid result will be out. Thanks for sharing
How do you expect anyone, let as lone a homeless veteran to get shots when the steps to get a shot are so complicated????
Operator said to hold on that the department was about to close. She never came back to the phone!
I am calling for Earl W. Rickman
USA 1966-1969 MSG E5
USAR 1978-1997 MSG E8
He served his country an proud of it.
Always employed, always serving his country, always for his family with his oldest son at 18 years ; a quadreplegic paralyzed from chest down with 2 younger boys 12 an 9 years old. Son needed 24 hour care from 1991 til his death in 2009 because of cancer caused by medicine he had to take to survive 18 years.
Due to accident in 2008, Earl W. Rickman had accident causing disability / no longer able to work; then more heart problems in 2009, health deteriating each year, a diabetic taking 3 insulation shots daily at times due to covid in 2021 an still a diabetic needing insulation daily ,heart problems, must have a cane an a walker at times to be able to walk, an still disabled since 2008 because of a leg injury that cannot be repaired, heart ablation surgeries… etc.
Then , last year November 2022, Earl Rickman went to VA hospital in Richmond , Virginia to apply for help. Took 6 months, to receive a letter saying he made too much money!!!! Why ?? They would NOT even make a phone call to Earl Rickman as we did not give up an repeatedly called them!
His wife, Barbara has been disabled 18 years , back surgery in 1998, bone disease in neck with metal an plastic in both sides of neck, Atrial fibrillation constant every day, heart monitor, knee an bone problems, an cancer with 7 surgeries in 26 months from 2019-2022!
Why … why can ‘t Earl get some help? We get Tricare but wanted better care from the VA doctors an hospital.
Earl W. Rickman needs help an please contact us as soon as possible. Thanking you in advance for a prompt response!
Earl W. Rickman /Barbara Rickman
Does VA also pay for RSV Shot for fall of 2023?
Rite Aid said RSV Shot is $347.00 because I don’t have Medicare Part D coverage as all my medicine is provided by VA
Where can I get the Covid booster shot at my local veterans clinic doesn’t give it I don’t want to drive all the way to Birmingham Alabama to just get my shot
Why can’t my wife get her flu shot I’m at 100%
What about the latest covid shot? When is that coming out?
Thanks