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It's Flu & RSV Season.
Where to Get Your No-Cost Shots
Are You Ready?
FLU
COVID-19
Flu season is here and we want to make sure you’re protected. As a Horizon health plan member, you can get a flu shot—and other immunizations, including COVID-19, shingles, hepatitis A and B, pneumococcal and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines—at no additional cost when you go to in-network doctors and certain pharmacies.
In New Jersey: Pharmacists in New Jersey are limited to providing immunizations to members based on the member's age and other criteria.
Wegmans
Go to one of the New Jersey pharmacies listed below:
Outside of New Jersey:
Go to a MinuteClinic® at select CVS locations
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.
You should get a flu shot if you’re:
6 months of age or older
There are many flu vaccine options to choose from, including a high-dose vaccine and nasal spray vaccine. Talk to your doctor about which flu vaccine is right for you.
Pregnant
Diagnosed with a certain chronic condition
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?
RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus.
It is a respiratory illness that has cold-like symptoms. However, for infants and 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
Pregnant and between 32 through 36 weeks of pregnancy during RSV season
Age 8-19 months and at 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 Horizon benefits and available at in-network pharmacies at no additional cost to you.
As of late September, you can order free COVID-19 at-home tests from the federal government. An at-home test can help you know if you have COVID-19 and help you talk to your doctor about what to do next.
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
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 a flu, COVID-19 and RSV shots (if eligible) at no additional 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.
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.
Walgreens
Stop & Shop
ShopRite
Rite Aid
Garden State Pharmacy Organization
ACME Savon Pharmacies
Wegmans
or,
Wherever you go to get your vaccine, always confirm that they are in-network for your plan and that your shot is covered at no additional cost to you.
If your plan permits vaccine coverage under your pharmacy benefit, you can get your shot at participating pharmacies. To find a participating pharmacy near you, sign in at MyPrime.com or contact Pharmacy Services at 1-800-370-5088.
If your pharmacy plan does not cover vaccines, please get your vaccine from your doctor and not a pharmacy.
Consider more convenient and less costly options, such as virtual care, or urgent care or retail health centers, where eligible, for nonemergency care.
CVS/MinuteClinic
CVS/MinuteClinic
Order free at-home tests.
Order free at-home tests.
