Flu Season is Approaching. Schedule Your Annual Vaccination.
The CDC recommends flu shots for everyone six months of age and older.
With the start of flu season right around the corner and the relaxing of COVID-19 mask mandates and stay-at-home orders, both the flu and COVID-19 will have more opportunities to spread, so protecting yourself is as critical as ever.
Due to the high transmissibility of both viruses, vaccines are recommended as the best protection against severe infection. The CDC recommends flu shots for everyone six months of age and older. Enhanced, or high dose, vaccines are recommended for those 65 years of age and older. For a listing of the different types of flu vaccines available and information on the appropriateness for specific groups, refer to the CDC’s Types of Vaccines page at www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/different-flu-vaccines.htm.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for those 12 years of age and older. (Pfizer has asked the FDA to authorize its COVID vaccine for children aged 5-11.) Both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for women who are pregnant or might become pregnant in the future. Additionally, new studies have shown that it is safe to get both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time, so you don’t need to wait to get vaccinated.
Though the CDC’s website www.VaccineFinder.org has been temporarily rededicated exclusively to finding COVID-19 vaccines, you should be able to locate a flu vaccination site through your state or local health department or local pharmacy. CVS offers flu shots at many locations; you can find one at www.cvs.com.
For participants covered under the DGA-Producer Health Plan, flu shots are covered at 100% under the Affordable Care Act’s preventive care benefits if administered by a network provider or network pharmacy. COVID-19 vaccinations, on the other hand, are provided free of charge under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to everyone in the U.S., regardless of insurance or immigration status. You can easily schedule your flu and COVID-19 vaccines at CVS.com and other participating pharmacies or through your primary physician.
Additional Information
- To find a CVS location near you that offers the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, visit: www.cvs.com
- For more about the 2021-2022 flu season, including special information on the impact of the coronavirus, visit the CDC’s Frequently Asked Questions page at www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2021-2022.htm
- If you experience flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, or fatigue, you should get tested for COVID-19 as a precaution. As both the flu and COVID-19 are contagious respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms, getting tested can help ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
