11.01.08
TRICARE Urges All Beneficiaries To Receive Flu Shot...

-Well it is flu season and TRICARE is urging all of its beneficiaries to receive a flu shot or the new nasal-spray flu vaccine. Remember this is important; every year 36,000 people die due to the Flu. If you are a TRICARE Prime, Standard or Extra beneficiary the Flu shot or nasal spray is covered by TRICARE if you receive it from a doctor’s office. It is not covered if you receive it at a civilian pharmacy or other location. If you are under TRICARE for Life (TFL) Medicare is 1st payer (and TRICARE is 2nd payer if needed) All active duty and members of the National Guard and Reserves are required to get a flu shot. For the first time the CDC is recommending that all children from 6 months to 18 years old receive a flu shot. (until this year it was 6 months to 5 years of age. TRICARE says it is particularly important that the following groups receive a FLU vaccination:
• Adults aged 50 years and older
• Persons aged 2 to 64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions.
• All women who are or may be pregnant during the influenza season.
• Children aged 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy.
• Health care workers involved in direct patient care.
Household contacts and caregivers of children and those 50 or older.