Have you had a flu shot this season?

It’s flu season, and, with the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, getting a flu shot is more important than ever! Several thousand residents in D.C. get the flu each flu season1.

The flu season begins in October and ends in May. Both the flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms, such as fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, and cough.2 They can lead to serious illness, hospitalization, or even death, especially for those who are older or have underlying health conditions.2

Fortunately, getting both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines is a simple way to help protect yourself and those around you. You can get both vaccines at the same time at no cost at most CVS, Walgreens, Safeway, and Giant locations. 

Three reasons to get the flu shot (PDF)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anyone older than 6 months get a flu shot. However, the flu shot is especially important for people who are at high risk for flu-related complications3. People who are at high risk include:

  • Pregnant women (PDF)
  • Adults age 65 and older
  • Children younger than age 5
  • People of any age with certain chronic health conditions including asthma, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and HIV/AIDS 

Where to get a flu shot

AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia (DC) enrollees have two options for getting a flu shot at no cost.

  1. Your primary care provider (PCP) | Call your PCP’s office and make an appointment to get your flu shot.
  2. In-network pharmacy | You can get your flu shot at a pharmacy in AmeriHealth Caritas DC’s network without an appointment. Some of these pharmacies include CVS, Walgreens, Giant, and Safeway Pharmacy. Find a pharmacy near you.

Learn more about how to stay healthy (PDF)

If you are an AmeriHealth Caritas DC enrollee and need assistance making a plan to get your flu shot, please call our Community Outreach Solutions team at 202-216-2318.

Transportation

AmeriHealth Caritas DC provides transportation to your medical appointment or pharmacy at no cost. To schedule a ride, call 1-800-315-3485. Calls are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Do I have the flu?

If you are experiencing flu symptoms, it’s a good idea to call your PCP’s office or the 24/7 Nurse Call Line at 1-877-759-6279. If you need care and your PCP is not available, visit the emergencies and urgent care page for other care options. You can also call Enrollee Services at 1-800-408-7511 anytime for assistance.

For resources and information about COVID-19, visit https://www.amerihealthcaritasdc.com/covid-19/index.aspx.

Sources:

  1. DC Influenza Surveillance Data, DC Health, https://dchealth.dc.gov/page/influenza-surveillance-and-reporting.
  2. “Similarities and Differences between Flu and COVID-19,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm.
  3. “People at High Risk for Flu Complications,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm.
Medicaid Enrollees