Now’s the Time for Flu Shots

This is the time of year to get a flu shot.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there will be plentiful supplies of flu vaccine over the course of the 2007-08 flu season. It’s anticipated that about 140 million doses of vaccine will be available this year, more than has ever been distributed in the U.S. during a single influenza season.

It's important to get a flu shot annually since viruses that cause flu often change from year to year.

Those at higher risk for flu include:

• Persons 50 years of age and older, with or without chronic health conditions;
• Children aged 6 months to 5 years;
• Residents of long-term care facilities;
• Adults and children with chronic health conditions;
• Pregnant women;
• Health care personnel;
• Household contacts and caregivers of children under 5 years of age and adults 50 years of age and older;
• Household contacts and caregivers to persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza; and
• All persons, including school-aged children, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting influenza to others.

Coverage for Flu Shots

Empire Plan—Adults age 19 and over can receive a flu shot from a participating provider for a copay of $18. The benefit is available for par providers only. A flu shot is considered a covered pediatric vaccine for dependent children up to age 19, under both the participating provider and basic medical components of the Empire Plan. Full-time dependent students age 19 and are eligible for vaccine coverage under the adult immunization benefit, which is through a participating provider only.

HMOs—Most HMOs cover flu shots. Contact your HMO’s Member Services Department for details.

Employee Health Service—In October, the Department of Civil Service‘s Employee Health Service (EHS) began making flu shots available to state employees at the 22 nursing stations EHS operates statewide. The nursing stations are located at worksites in Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Long Island, New York City, Syracuse and Utica.