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Here's what is true about the flu

Get the facts you need to reduce your risk of serious illness. 

Do I have the flu?

If you're not sure, check this symptom chart from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) then learn abour your options for care – primary care physician, urgent care, or ER – they may help you decide what to do next. 

Speak to a licensed nurse at Health Line Blue℠

A nurse can answer your health questions anytime, call 877-477-24241

Get a flu shot even if you don't have health insurance

Anyone can get a flu shot at a local health department. Costs vary and may be covered by private insurance or Medicare. 

Check the Vaccine Finder or call your local health deparment to learn more.

Find flu vaccines near you
Get an annual flu shot

According to CDC estimates, there were up to 670,000 flu hospitalizations from October 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023.2

Many Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) members can get a flu shot at no extra cost.

In most cases, you can get a flu shot at no charge if you have one of these plans:3

  • Blue Cross NC plans with preventive care benefits
  • Blue Medicare HMO℠, PPO℠ or Supplement℠
  • North Carolina State Health Plan
  • North Carolina Federal Employee Program

Check your preventive care benefits for your coverage and if any copay, deductible or coinsurance applies.
Where can I get a flu shot?
Worksite clinic

Some members can get a flu shot where they work. Many employers have worksite flu shot clinics at no cost to the member.4 Members of a group plan should check with their Human Resources or benefits department to learn more.
In-network pharmacists

Members can go to an in-network immunizing pharmacist or MinuteClinic® to get a flu shot. Some North Carolina pharmacists have contracted with Blue Cross NC to give flu shots. North Carolina immunizing pharmacists can give flu shots to those ages 10 and up. Some members may pay a copay, deductible or coinsurance, depending on their specific benefits.

To find in-network pharmacists, visit Find Care and click Look up a Doctor or Drug. You can log in to your Blue Connect℠ account or browse as a guest. Select Doctor or facility. Enter the ZIP Code for your search. Select your network. Type "Pharmacist" into the search box and select Pharmacist (Flu & Other Limited Injections) under Specialties.

To find a participating MinuteClinic, begin typing "Convenience Care Centers" into the search box, and then select Convenience Care Centers when the option appears under Specialties.
Pharmacies (if applicable)

Flu shots can now also be covered under the member's pharmacy benefits on most Blue Cross NC plans. Members just need to show their Blue Cross NC member ID card at an in-network vaccinating pharmacy. In-network vaccinating pharmacies can be found from our Find Care page by clicking Vaccinating pharmacies.

The following plans are excluded from coverage of the flu shot under the member's pharmacy benefits:

  • The State Health Plan
  • FEP plans
  • Medicare Part D plans

Members on these plans must continue to use one of the other flu shot options, and their medical benefits will apply.
Questions about the flu shot program

Yes. Influenza viruses change every year. A new vaccine is used annually to fight the most current influenza virus. In addition, the antibody a person develops from the vaccine declines over time.

If a member of Blue Medicare HMO℠ or Blue Medicare PPO℠ only goes to the doctor for a flu shot, the copayment is waived. However, if he or she sees the doctor for other services, an office visit copayment may be charged.

There are many ways you can protect yourself from contagious illnesses, including the flu:

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough
  • If you do get sick, stay home from school or work

You need to show your Blue Medicare HMO℠ or Blue Medicare PPO℠ ID card when you visit your doctor’s office to get your flu shot.

Influenza usually occurs from November until April, with activity peaking between late December and early March. The optimal time for flu shots is during October through November; however, it is clinically beneficial to be vaccinated through December and January.

For more information about this year’s flu season and about the flu shot, visit the CDC website.

Members of Blue Medicare HMO℠ and Blue Medicare PPO℠ plans are eligible to receive flu shots without a copayment and the plans will be billed for the service.

Influenza usually leaves its victims unable to function for several days and is responsible for more than 200,000 hospitalizations each year. Getting an annual flu shot is your best protection.
Questions about the flu vaccine

Yes. Like other vaccines, the flu vaccine is not 100% effective and does not take effect until 1 or 2 weeks after it is received. During this time, you will be just as susceptible to contracting the flu as individuals who have not received a flu shot. Still, the best option to prevent the flu is to get a yearly flu shot.

The flu vaccine has been determined to be about 75% effective in preventing the flu and is your best method of protection.

For most people, the vaccination causes no side effects. Less than 1/3 of those who receive a flu shot will experience some soreness at the vaccination site, and only 5 to 10% will suffer mild side effects, such as low-grade fevers and headaches.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you receive a flu shot if you meet their criteria of high risk or fall under one of the following categories:

  • Anyone who wants to reduce the risk of contracting the flu
  • People over the age of 50
  • People with high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, history of stroke or heart attack, a chronic disease, diabetes, compromised immune system, anemia, asthma or other breathing problems
  • A health care worker with high-risk patients
  • People who had required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic, kidney or blood cell diseases
  • People traveling to a foreign country
  • People living or working with persons who fit into one of these categories

Anyone who is allergic to eggs should avoid being vaccinated because the virus used is grown in hens' eggs.

No. The flu vaccine is created from dead or inactive viruses that are not contagious.

Disclosures:

  1. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) offers the Nurse Support Program for your convenience and is not liable in any way for the goods or services received; results are not guaranteed. Decisions regarding your care should be made with the advice of your doctor. Blue Cross NC reserves the right to change or discontinue this program at any time without prior notification from Blue Cross NC.

  2. Estimated Influenza Illnesses, Medical visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths in the United States - 2022-2023 US Flu Season: Preliminary In-Season Burden Estimates, (Accessed October 2023).

  3. Seasonal flu shots are available for eligible members and covered at 100 percent for those members with a non-grandfathered plan.

  4. Worksite Clinics - Each clinic has been given a set amount of shots. Shots will be given on a first-come, first-served basis until the supply is gone Participants must be 18+. These flu shots will be given by independent flu clinic providers. In the event that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend that flu shots go to "priority groups" before the general public, independent flu clinic providers will give priority to those who fit the CDC's high-risk standards.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its health programs and activities. Learn more about our non-discrimination policy and no-cost services available to you.

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