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It’s Easier than Ever to get Vaccinated for the Flu and Other Illnesses

Bymfulton Updated on

Vaccinations are now available at many convenient retail pharmacies.

Did you know that adults with the flu can be contagious from the day before symptoms begin (typically 1-4 days), all the way up to 10 days after the illness starts1 and can spread the flu to others who are sitting up to six feet away2? And to top it off, one-quarter of Americans show up to work despite not feeling well.3

One of the best ways to avoid the flu and related complications is to get a flu shot. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year in the U.S. 200,000 Americans are hospitalized because of problems related to the flu4, and the single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older.

To help you stay healthy, you can now receive vaccines administered at your local retail pharmacy, covered at 100%, through your A&M System prescription-drug benefit. These typically do not require an appointment and are the same effective medications as those from your physician’s office.

Along with protection from the flu, your prescription-drug benefit plan covers several other vaccines, which can be administered by pharmacists at participating network pharmacies:

  • Flu (seasonal influenza)
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis
  • Hepatitis
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Meningitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Shingles/Zoster
  • Travel Vaccines (rabies, typhoid, yellow fever, etc.)
  • Childhood Vaccines (MMR, etc.)

There are two ways to locate a participating pharmacy:

  1. Sign in at Express-Scripts.com and click Prescriptions, then Find a Pharmacy to search for in-network pharmacies convenient for you.
  2. Call the number on your Express Scripts member ID card to find a participating pharmacy near you.

Contact your network pharmacy in advance to inquire about vaccine availability, age restrictions, and current vaccination schedules. Also, don’t forget to present your member ID card to the pharmacist.

Are there other ways to prevent the spread of illness?

According to the CDC, everyday actions can help you stay healthy:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub such as Germ-X® or Purell®.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

1,4 WebMD: https://wb.md/2FmTI80

2,3 Newsweek: https://bit.ly/2o1CUvC

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