Flu Vaccine

TRICARE covers the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine:

• Is an inactivated vaccine that contains a killed virus
• Causes antibodies to develop in the body to provide protection against infection
• Is recommended for all age groups 6 months to 64 years
• Has a high dose version available for those aged 65 years and older

Getting the Flu Vaccine

You can get the flu vaccine at no cost in three ways:

Military Hospital or Clinic

• Find a Military Hospital or Clinic Near You
• Active duty service members have priority
• Call ahead to make sure it's available

Participating Network Pharmacy

To find a participating network pharmacy:

• Search online
• Call 1-877-363-1303

Call the pharmacy first to ask:

• What days and times can you get the vaccine?
• Who gives the vaccine—a pharmacist or a provider from an in-pharmacy clinic?
  • Only vaccines given by a pharmacist are covered by the pharmacy benefit for free. If your vaccine is administered by a provider at an onsite clinic, it may not be covered and you may have to pay the entire cost.
  • You can still go to your doctor for the vaccine if the pharmacy has restrictions or it isn’t available. But, you may have to pay copayments or cost-shares for the office visit.
• Are there any restrictions, including for children?
  • If your state has a restriction, you should go to your primary care physician or a military hospitals or clinic for the vaccine.

TRICARE-Authorized ProviderAn authorized provider is any individual, institution/organization, or supplier that is licensed by a state, accredited by national organization, or meets other standards of the medical community, and is certified to provide benefits under TRICARE. There are two types of TRICARE-authorized providers: Network and Non-Network. DS

• Find a Doctor
• Follow your plan’s rules for getting care
• You’ll need to pay your copaymentA fixed dollar amount you may pay for a covered health care service or drug. or cost-shareA percentage of the total cost of a covered health care service that you pay. for the office visit
• Active duty service members must have a referral to get the vaccine from any provider other than their primary care manager.

Are you an active duty or Guard/Reserve member?

You’re required to get the flu vaccine.

• You have priority to get the vaccine at military hospitals and military clinics. 
• You can also get vaccines at participating retail network pharmacies.

If you go to a participating network pharmacy:

• You must get the vaccine from a pharmacist.
• Don’t get the vaccine from an onsite medical clinic at the pharmacy, or you will have to pay the entire cost of the medication.

If you go to a network doctor other than your primary care manager (PCM), you must get a referral from your PCM. 

When you get a flu vaccine from a participating network pharmacy, follow your Service policy guidance for recording the vaccine in your shot record. You'll need the following information:

• The date the vaccine was given
• The vaccine name or code
• Manufacturer
• Lot number