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It's Flu & RSV Season.
Where to Get Your No-Cost Shots
Are You Ready?
FLU
Shingles
We want to make sure you’re protected. As a Braven Health member, you can get a flu shot—and other immunizations, including flu, shingles, pneumonia, RSV and COVID-19 vaccines—at no additional cost when you go to in-network doctors and participating pharmacies.
At one of the following in-network pharmacies:
Should I Get a Flu Shot?
The flu virus changes every year, so you’ll need to get an updated shot at the start of every flu season. Even for healthy older adults, weaker immune systems due to age make it harder to fight off disease.
According to the CDC, the vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu. A higher-dose version of the vaccine was created for older adults – talk to your doctor about this.
86% of adults 65 and older are managing a chronic condition, like diabetes or heart disease. These can cause complications and hospital stays when older adults catch the flu.
Flu combined with pneumonia is a top-10 cause of death for people age 65 and older in the United States
Myth versus Fact
I got a flu shot last year, so I don’t need it again.
FACT:
The flu virus changes from year to year, so you need an updated flu shot every year.
FACT:
While you may experience flu-like symptoms a few days after getting the flu shot, it does not give you the flu.
FACT:
The flu shot does NOT contain a live virus.
FACT:
Since the flu shot does not contain a live virus, it cannot give you the flu.
FACT:
Even healthy people can get the flu. Getting vaccinated every year can protect you and those around you.
Click on each Myth to see the Fact about the Flu Vaccine
The flu shot made me sick.
I don’t want a live virus flu shot.
The flu shot can cause the flu.
I’m healthy so I don’t need a flu shot.
The flu is like a bad cold.
FACT:
The flu can be more serious and can lead to hospitalization, serious complications and even death.
When Is the Best Time to Get a Flu Shot?
The flu season usually starts in October, and peaks between December and February. It takes about two weeks for the flu shot to build antibodies, so it’s best to get vaccinated at the start of the flu season – October – so you’re protected.
Stop The Flu From Spreading
Getting the flu shot at the start of the flu season is the number one way to protect yourself and those around you from getting the flu. You can also:
Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds throughout the day, and definitely before eating.
Clean frequently touched objects like doorknobs and countertops often.
Stay home if you’re not feeling well.
Stay away from those who may be sick.
Don’t touch your mouth, eyes and nose.
MYTH:
What is RSV?
It is a respiratory illness that has cold-like symptoms. However, for older adults, it can be serious and lead to hospitalization. RSV spreads, like other respiratory illnesses, through coughing, sneezing and touching contaminated surfaces.
You Should Get Vaccinated Against RSV if You Are:
Age 75 or older
Age 60-74 and are at an increased risk for severe RSV disease
Talk to your doctor to see if an RSV shot is right for you.
The updated COVID-19 shot is covered under your Braven Health benefits and available at in-network pharmacies at no additional cost to you.
For some, getting all vaccines – flu, RSV (if eligible) and COVID-19 – at the same time is the easiest way to stay up to date. Studies show that it is safe to get both the flu and COVID-19 shots during the same visit; however, getting multiple vaccines in the same visit may increase the risk of some side effects.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what’s right for you.
Sources retrieved August 7, 2024: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm; https://www.nfid.org/resource/myths-and-facts-about-influenza-flu/;
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/different-flu-vaccines.htm
View our Notice of Nondiscrimination. If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you.
RSV
RSV season is generally from fall through winter. The CDC recommends getting the RSV vaccine in late summer and early fall.
Stay Up To Date on Your COVID-19 Vaccine
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No matter where you live, you have choices where to get vaccines for flu, shingles, RSV, COVID-19 and pneumonia. They are available at no cost to you. You can get these shots:
Timing is Everything
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For more information, click on a link
When Should I Get the RSV Shot?
Who Should be Vaccinated for RSV?
The RSV vaccine is not an annual vaccine – so if you’re eligible and got it last year, you don’t need to get it again. And like other vaccines, eligible members can get the RSV shot at no cost when they go to an in-network pharmacy or doctor.
Nobody Wants the Flu!
Like the flu, the COVID-19 virus changes. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get one dose of the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness, hospitalization and death.
At your in-network doctor’s office. Keep in mind that if your doctor provides care or treatment in addition to the immunization, you may have to pay a copay, coinsurance and/or deductible for your other care or treatment.
Wegmans
Costco
ShopRite
Rite Aid
Walgreens
CVS
COVID-19
For a complete list of all participating pharmacies, go to BravenHealth.com/dhf. You should call ahead or work with the pharmacy or doctor’s office to schedule your vaccinations.
Why get the vaccine? One in three adults gets shingles at some point. Most are 60 or older. The older you are, the more likely you’ll have fever, fatigue and loss of appetite. These can all lead to other health problems.
When should you get the shots? The CDC recommends healthy adults over age 50 get a two-dose version. The shots are given months apart and are about 90% effective. The single-dose vaccine may still be used for healthy people over age 60. If you’ve had the single-dose, ask your doctor if you need the new two-dose version.
Where can you get the shots? At your doctor’s office or local pharmacy or clinic.
How does Medicare cover it? Because of the Inflation Reduction Act, shingles vaccine is covered with no out-of-pocket costs under Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage.
Do I Need a Shingles Shot?
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Sources: National Council on Aging. What Is Shingles? And How Long Can It Last? Retrieved February 23, 2024 from www.ncoa.org/article/what-is-shingles-and-how-long-can-it-last. National Council on Aging. Is There a Free Shingles Vaccine for Older Adults? Here’s What You Should Know. Retrieved February 23, 2024 from www.ncoa.org/article/is-there-a-free-shingles-vaccine-for-seniors-heres-what-you-should-know.
Pneumonia is a lung infection where your lungs fill with fluid and make it hard to breathe. Older adults have the highest risk of serious illness and death if they get pneumonia. You may have a high chance of getting the disease if you already have a weak immune system or chronic health issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following groups should get the vaccine:
Anyone over age 65. For older adults, your immune system may not work as well due to age. You might be more likely to have a bad infection. All adults over age 65 should get the vaccine.
Anyone with weak immune systems. Many diseases can cause your immune system to weaken, making it less able to fight off pneumonia.
People with chronic conditions, like: - Heart disease - Diabetes - Emphysema - Asthma - COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Anyone who: - Is getting chemotherapy - Has had organ transplants - Has HIV or AIDS
Smokers. If you’re a longtime smoker, you could have damage to your lungs. That makes pneumonia harder to fight off.
Heavy drinkers. You could have a weakened immune system if you drink too much alcohol.
People who just had surgery or are getting over a bad illness. Your immune system may be weak. You’re at risk if: - You were in the ICU (intensive care unit) at the hospital and breathing through a ventilator. - You’ve just had major surgery or you’re healing from a serious injury.
The pain from shingles can be severe and can keep you in bed for days. You can prevent shingles by getting a vaccine. It’s more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and long-term nerve pain in healthy adults over age 50. For adults overall, including those with weakened immune systems, it’s 85% effective.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pneumococcal Vaccination. Retrieved March 8, 2024 from
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/index.html. CDC. Pneumococcal Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know. Retrieved March 8, 2024 from www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/public/index.html. WebMd. Do I Need a Pneumonia Vaccine? Retrieved March 8, 2024 from
www.webmd.com/lung/pneumococcal-vaccine-schedule.
bravenhealth.com
The flu is like a bad cold.
FACT:
The flu can be more serious and can lead to hospitalization, serious complications and even death.
I’m healthy so I don’t need a flu shot.
FACT:
Even healthy people can get the flu. Getting vaccinated every year can protect you and those around you.
The flu shot can cause the flu.
FACT:
Since the flu shot does not contain a live virus, it cannot give you the flu.
I don’t want a live virus flu shot.
FACT:
The flu shot does NOT contain a live virus.
The flu shot made me sick.
FACT:
While you may experience flu-like symptoms a few days after getting the flu shot, it does not give you the flu.
I got a flu shot last year, so I don’t need it again.
FACT:
The flu virus changes from year to year, so you need an updated flu shot every year.
What is shingles? It’s a skin rash caused by the same virus as chicken pox, but it’s less contagious. Even after shingles passes, a person can have long-term pain.
The pain from shingles can be severe and can keep you in bed for days. You can prevent shingles by getting a vaccine. It’s more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and long-term nerve pain in healthy adults over age 50. For adults overall, including those with weakened immune systems, it’s 85% effective.
What is shingles? It’s a skin rash caused by the same virus as chicken pox, but it’s less contagious. Even after shingles passes, a person can have long-term pain.