Flu and COVID Booster for Eligible Veterans

No-Cost VA Flu Shots for Eligible Veterans 

It’s time to get a flu shot!

Getting a flu shot protects you, your family and your community. If available, you can also safely receive your COVID Booster at the same time you get a flu shot – one visit, two vaccines. (For VA Maine locations, see table below.)

Flu Shots at VA Maine locations:

• Drive-up Vaccine Events (preferred)

• At an existing face-to-face appointment beginning the week of 9/26/2022.
• By appointment only, starting the week of 10/17/2022 for a COVID or Flu vaccine, please call 207-623-8411 x-7490 to schedule.

Flu Shots in Your Community:

Get a no-cost flu shot at a community provider in VA’s network

Eligible Veterans can choose from one of nearly 70,000 in-network retail pharmacies and urgent care/walk-in locations to get their flu shot from Sept. 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023. 

Who can get a flu shot at a community provider?

You are eligible to receive a flu shot at in-network retail pharmacy/urgent care if:

• You are enrolled in the VA health care system, AND,
• You received care from a VA provider or an in-network community care provider within the past 24 months

How do I know if I am eligible?

• Call 800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411)

Select option 1 (urgent care information)

Select option 3 (urgent care information)

Select option 1 (check urgent care eligibility)

The system will verify your eligibility for the community urgent care benefit, which includes the flu vaccination.

• Or call your local VA facility
• Your state may have age and health-related restrictions.

NOTE: Family members and beneficiaries are not eligible.

Where can I get a no-cost flu shot?

To locate a VA medical facility, in-network urgent care or retail pharmacy near you, use the VA Locator, here’s how:

• Enter the city, state or postal ZIP code for your location.
• Choose a Facility Type from the drop down:
• Select VA health for VA medical center locations
• Select Urgent Care, for “All in-network urgent care”
• Select Community pharmacies (in VA’s network)
• Click search
• choose a provider

What should I know before I go?

Before you go:

• Call ahead to ensure the vaccine type you are seeking is available
• Bring the billing information flyer located here (print it or take a screenshot on your phone)
• 

When you arrive:

• Tell the provider you are a Veteran enrolled in VA health care.
• Tell them you would like to receive the flu shot paid for by VA.
• Show your government-issued ID and the billing information flyer located above. (Print, take a screenshot or pull up this page at time of vaccine.)
• There is no cost to you if your visit is only for a flu shot.
• You should not pay a copay if you only get a flu shot.
• For assistance with in-network community flu shots, call 877-881-7618 or your local VA medical facility.

Who updates my medical records?

The community provider will send your flu shot vaccination documentation to VA or you can also request a copy of your flu shot documentation and provide it to your VA provider. (Please know a processing delay will occur in updating medical records.)

Related links

• Flu shot page: prevention.va.gov/flu
• cdc.gov/flu
• Video, 60 seconds - People depend on me
• Video, 60 seconds - To protect and serve

News & Announcements