October 2009 (Rockledge, FL)—To help prevent the risks associated with the seasonal flu, Health First Health Plans (HFHP) covers flu vaccine every year for all Medicare Advantage and fully-insured group members. This year, HFHP will also cover vaccine to help protect members from H1N1 (swine) flu.

One of HFHP’s primary goals is to help members prevent illness, and vaccinations have proven effective in protecting people from contagious diseases. Preventing the spread of illness also helps reduce related risks and complications such as time lost from school or work, hospitalizations, and even death.

To help protect yourself and others this flu season, public health organizations are recommending that you take these everyday steps:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it, and wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be below 100°F without the use of a fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol.)
• While sick, limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. If you’re sick and live with other people in your home, try to wear a facemask if you are within six feet of each other to help prevent spreading the virus to them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

“In addition to getting vaccinated, we encourage everyone to follow the government’s recommendations to lower the risk of spreading seasonal and H1N1 flu, colds, or any other ‘bug’ that may be going around,” said Peter Weiss, MD, CEO of HFHP, and board-certified infectious disease specialist. He added, “Stress management and a healthy diet of nutritious foods can also help your immune system fight off illness. If you think you have the flu, contact your doctor right away.”

Frequently asked questions

Where can Health First Health Plans members get flu shots?

1. Visit a community flu shot clinic.

HFHP has made arrangements with several local clinics to offer members at no charge when they present their Health First Health Plans member ID card:

• Go to any Walgreens location. Call 1-800-WALGREENS (choose option 5) or 1-800-FLU-9950 or visit www.walgreens.com/flu for store locations and hours.
• Go to any Publix location. Call 1-877-FLU-8100 or visit www.publix.com/flu for store locations and hours.
• Attend a Maxim Healthcare Services flu shot clinic at any participating Target, BJs, or CVS location throughout Brevard and Indian River Counties. Schedules are available at participating stores, online at www.findaflushot.com, or call toll-free 1-877-962-9358.
• Go to the Brevard County Health Department. Call (321) 637-7300 or visit www.doh.state.fl.us/chdbrevard for locations and hours.
• Go to any VNA Health Services location. Visit www.vnatc.org for locations and hours.

2. See your doctor.

Your primary care physician may have flu vaccine. Call him or her directly to ask about availability. There is no copay for a flu shot, but if you receive other services during the same visit, a copay may apply.

3. Get your flu shot at any other location, and we’ll reimburse you.

Send your full name, address, Health First Health Plans ID number, and a copy of your vaccination receipt(s) to: Flu Shot Reimbursement, Health First Health Plans, PO Box 565001, Rockledge, FL 32956-5001, and we’ll send you a check for the amount of your vaccination (up to $25 for each flu shot or nasal spray).

Who should get flu shots?

For the H1N1 flu, the CDC recommends vaccination efforts initially focus on 5 target groups:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• Persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years
• People ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for complications because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems (due to medical therapy or disease)

For the seasonal flu, in general anyone over 6 months of age who wants to reduce their chances of getting seasonal flu can get vaccinated. Those at highest risk include:

• Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
  • Healthcare workers
  • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  • Household contacts and caregivers of children <5 years of age with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children <6 months of age (these children are at higher risk of flu-related complications)

When should I get influenza vaccine?

You can get the vaccine as soon as it is available, usually in the fall, and for as long as illness is occurring in your community. Influenza can occur any time from November through May, but it most often peaks in January or February. Getting vaccinated in December, or even later, will still be beneficial in most years.

How many flu shots do I need?

For H1N1 flu, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) recommends:

• One dose of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine for people 10 years of age and older.
• Two doses of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine for children 3-9 years of age.
• Children aged 6 months through 35 months get two doses of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine that contains one-half the dose used for older children and adults.

For seasonal flu, most people need one dose of influenza vaccine each year. Children younger than 9 years of age getting influenza vaccine for the first time—or who got influenza vaccine for the first time last season but got only one dose—should get 2 doses, at least 4 weeks apart, to be protected. Influenza vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines, including pneumococcal vaccine.

Will there be a shortage of vaccine?

Availability and demand can be unpredictable; initially, the vaccine will be available in limited quantities with priority given to those at higher risk. If it’s not available the first time you try to get a shot, try again as additional supplies will be delivered over the next few weeks and months.

Where can I get more information?

• For information about the flu (both seasonal and h1N1) visit www.flu.gov (sponsored by the US Department of Health & Human Services).
• For information about H1N1 flu and clinic locations visit www.MyFluSafety.com (sponsored by Florida’s Department of Health).
• For information about Health First Health Plans coverage for flu shots, call Health First Health Plans Customer Service at (321) 434-5665 or toll free at (800) 716-7737 from 8 am to 8 pm, any day of the week.