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Sharon Foster  |  TRICARE Management Activity

January 12, 2011

January marks the new year but it also signals the start of flu season. According to a recent FluView report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), several states - Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia – already have widespread reports of flu. With flu season well underway, TRICARE beneficiaries who have not gotten vaccinated should do so as soon as possible.


U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Eric Pacheco administers the H1N1 flu vaccine to Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class Stuart Ringrose at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew R. White/Released) “Seasonal influenza is a contagious respiratory virus that can cause mild to severe illness and, at times, can lead to death,” said Rear Adm. Thomas McGinnis, chief, Pharmaceutical Operations Directorate, TRICARE Management Activity. “The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get vaccinated.”

Beneficiaries 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated, according to the CDC. Beneficiaries who are older, pregnant and young children are especially at high risk for serious flu complications. Immunization is important not only for pregnant beneficiaries, but also for those who may become pregnant during flu season. The injectable seasonal influenza vaccine is safe for pregnant women in any trimester.

The 2010-2011 flu vaccine protects against three different flu viruses: H3N2, influenza B and the H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season. Currently, two forms of influenza vaccine are distributed in the U.S. and both are covered by TRICARE:

• An injectable, inactivated vaccine that contains a killed virus and can be used in all age groups six months and older.
• An intranasal spray made with live, weakened influenza viruses; limited to use in healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49 years, and who are not pregnant at the time they receive the vaccination.

TRICARE beneficiaries can get the flu vaccine at no cost from military treatment facilities (MTFs), TRICARE-authorized providers or at any of the 50,000 participating network pharmacies (call 1-877-363-1303 to find a participating pharmacy).  

Links to search online for MTFs, providers and pharmacies can be found at www.tricare.mil/flu. Beneficiaries should always check ahead for the days and times the flu vaccine is available and the age range served at that location. Some states have restrictions for pharmacies giving vaccinations to children, so beneficiaries should ask the pharmacist if there are any restrictions. If there are, beneficiaries should consider using an MTF or have their primary care physician vaccinate their child.

Before being immunized, beneficiaries should be medically screened to determine eligibility, contraindications and which vaccine they should receive. Uniformed service member (active duty, National Guard, and Reserves), are required to be immunized. Active duty service members (ADSMs) have priority for getting the vaccine at MTFs but may also receive the vaccine at a participating network pharmacy. When received at a network pharmacy, ADSMs are required to follow their service policy guidance for recording the immunization in their shot record by the close of business the next duty day.

Beneficiaries can take everyday precautions to stop the spread of flu:

• Cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze.
• Wash their hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid others if they are sick to keep from infecting them.

Learn more about preventing the flu and getting vaccinated at www.tricare.mil/flu.

Health Care [News]  |  vaccines   influenza   TRICARE