Did You Get Your Seasonal Flu Vaccine?

This article pertains to 2024–2025 seasonal influenza. There are other vaccines and recommendations for COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

According to the CDC, the best way to protect against flu and its potentially serious complications is with a flu vaccine. Flu vaccines are updated each season because flu viruses are constantly changing. Also, immunity wanes over time. Annual vaccination helps to ensure the best possible protection against flu. If you have concerns about getting the flu vaccine, you may find these CDC recommendations helpful.

STRS Ohio’s medical plans cover the flu vaccine as a preventive service at no cost to you. If your provider requires payment when you receive the flu vaccine, submit a claim form with a paid receipt to your plan and you will be reimbursed. Visit your plan’s website or call the toll-free customer service number on the back of your ID card to obtain a claim form.

This season all flu vaccines are designed to protect against the four viruses research indicates will be most common. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which option is right for you.

• For people age 65 years and older, CDC recommends a higher-dose flu vaccine or an adjuvanted flu vaccine over a standard-dose, unadjuvanted flu vaccine. For more information, check out the Flu & People 65 Years and Older page.
• For people younger than age 65, CDC recommends any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine. Options for this age group include inactivated flu vaccine, recombinant flu vaccine or live attenuated flu vaccine, with no preference for any flu vaccine over another. Please note, the nasal spray flu vaccine is approved for healthy non-pregnant individuals under age 50. People with certain medical conditions should not receive the nasal spray flu vaccine.

You can visit one of the following locations to receive the vaccine. Present the applicable ID card at the time of service.

1. Your doctor’s office. Call your doctor first to make sure the vaccine you are seeking is in supply, particularly the high-dose or adjuvanted vaccine. Present your medical ID card.
2. A retail clinic, including some walk-in clinics at the pharmacy; however, you should call your plan in advance to verify participating locations. Present your medical ID card.
3. A pharmacy. Present your prescription ID card. (If you pay upfront, submit a claim to your prescription plan, not to your medical plan.)