Stay healthy during flu season

We want to help our members stay healthy. That's why Priority Health covers preventive services like flu vaccinations, including the cost to "administer" the H1N1 flu vaccine - paying someone to give you the shot.

Jump down the page to:

• Where and when are flu shots covered by Priority Health?
• What is "seasonal" flu?
• What is H1N1 flu?
• Learn more about seasonal and H1N1 flu
• Who should receive a flu shot?
• Tips for good flu etiquette

Where and when are flu shots covered by Priority Health?

Check our chart showing where you can get a flu shot and have your Priority Health plan pay for it.
Go to the chart explaining how coverage of your flu shot varies by your health plan and location.

What is "seasonal" flu?

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.

• Flu season runs from fall through early spring.
• Flu spreads from person-to-person.
• Symptoms include fever, tiredness, headache, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose.

What is H1N1 flu?

H1N1 flu (also called "swine flu") is a new influenza in people worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was first detected in the U.S. in April 2009. An H1N1 vaccine has now been developed.

• While H1N1 flu is spread in the same way as seasonal flu, the kinds of people who are at risk of catching H1N1 are different from those at risk for catching seasonal flu. See the chart below, Who should receive a flu shot.
• The symptoms of H1N1 flu are the same as the symptoms of seasonal flu.

Learn more about seasonal and H1N1 flu

• To learn more about H1N1 and seasonal flu, visit flu.gov.
• Read the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) questions and answers about distribution of the H1N1 vaccine
• Check for products that falsely claim to prevent the H1N1 virus

Who should receive a flu shot?

These guidelines were listed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as of 09/15/2009.

Age	Seasonal Flu	H1N1 Flu
Children 6 – 12 months	Recommended	Recommended
Children 1 – 4 years	Recommended	Recommended
Children 5 – 18 years	Recommended; strongly recommended if any underlying chronic health condition	Recommended
Young adults 19 – 24 years	If desired	Recommended
Adults 19 – 64 years with underlying chronic health conditions (examples: asthma, diabetes)	Recommended	Recommended
Pregnant women	Recommended	Recommended
Household contacts of children under 6 months of age	Recommended	Recommended
Health care workers and emergency medical services personnel	Recommended	Recommended
All other adults 25 – 49 years	If desired	If desired, based on vaccine availability*
All other adults 50 and older	Recommended	If desired, based on vaccine availability*
*In case of a shortage of the H1N1 vaccine, the vaccination may not be available to this group. Talk to your provider if you have questions.

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Tips for good flu etiquette

Keep yourself and your loved ones healthy by following these basic tips:

• Get a seasonal flu shot. Understand your risk for H1N1 flu and, if recommended, get that vaccine when it is available.
• Wash your hands especially after you cough or sneeze. Frequent hand washing kills germs and stops the spread of illness.
• Sneeze or cough into your elbow or a tissue to reduce hand-to-hand transfer of germs.
• Avoid contact with sick people.
• To reduce the spread of illness, the CDC recommends staying home for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours.