Fall Flu Shots Are Just What the Doctor Ordered Published Oct. 30, 2007 FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- Fall is the best time to get the flu vaccination in the United States, according to health officials. This gives the body a chance to build up immunity before the winter flu season. "TRICARE beneficiaries should check with their local military treatment facility or primary care manager to find out when and where they are offering the flu vaccine," said Army Major General Elder Granger, Deputy Director, TRICARE Management Activity. "All beneficiaries are encouraged to protect themselves against this potentially deadly virus." Influenza kills about 36,000 Americans each year, and leads to about 200,000 hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is strongly recommended that the following people get vaccinated each year: all children aged six months to their fifth birthday; adults aged 50 years and older; persons with underlying chronic medical conditions; pregnant women; health care workers involved in direct patient care; child care and elderly care workers; and persons at high risk for severe complications from influenza. TRICARE will cover the flu shot for beneficiaries, as long as it is administered in a doctor's office. Flu shots administered in a civilian pharmacy or drugstore are not covered by TRICARE. For TRICARE for Life beneficiaries, Medicare covers flu vaccinations and TRICARE would pay as second payer, if needed. TRICARE covers two types of vaccinations; the inactivated vaccine containing a killed virus and given with a needle, and the nasal-spray flu vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. For more information about influenza visit www.cdc.gov/flu/. For more information about your TRICARE benefits visit www.tricare.mil.