Get Your Vaccines to Stay Healthy During Virus Season

Staying up to date on your vaccines is the best way to lower your risk of viral respiratory disease this fall and winter.

Older adults are at a higher risk for serious complications of infection, and generally experience higher rates of death and hospitalization. This is, in part, because of changes in immune defenses with increasing age.

COVID-19 vaccine 

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are again on the rise, and there are new variants not covered by older vaccines. If you are over 65 or are immunocompromised, and you have not received the booster for new strains in the past 4 months, this vaccine is recommended. You can schedule your COVID-19 vaccine during the same visit as your flu shot.

Flu shot

Getting a flu shot each year is the best way to protect yourself against the flu. Adults age 65 or older are at higher risk for serious complications if they get the flu. Even among healthy older people, the flu can result in heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia, and other serious illnesses.  

Where can you get your vaccines?

Tuft Health Plan Medicare Advantage members have a $0 copay for a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu shot. Call your doctor to schedule an appointment (an office visit copay may apply). If your doctor is unable to schedule your vaccines before the end of the year, we will cover vaccines given at certain retail clinics including: 

• MinuteClinics within CVS Pharmacy locations in Massachusetts
• Town or school clinics—confirm the location accepts Tufts Health Plan
• If you receive home health services, you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot in your home

If you get a vaccine anywhere other than your primary care physician’s (PCP 's) office, remember to let your PCP know. 

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines help your body learn to defend itself from disease, without the danger of a full-blown infection.

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines work by imitating an infection. Vaccines contain an antigen, which is a substance that mimics a small piece of the virus, that causes your body’s immune system to produce antibodies. After your body fights off the antigen, the antibodies remain in your body in smaller numbers, ready to fight a future infection.

Though vaccinated individuals can still get infected, you’re far less likely to die or become seriously ill if you’re vaccinated, compared with someone whose immune system is unprepared, according to the CDC.

What else can you do to avoid getting sick?

In addition to the getting your recommended vaccinations, you can reduce your risk of infection by practicing these habits:

• Avoid close contact with others who are sick
• Wash your hands frequently (or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available)
• Refrain from touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, especially when someone is ill
• Practice other healthy habits like sleeping enough, eating nutritious food, staying physically active, and managing your stress

For the most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 and flu vaccines, please visit the CDC’s website at cdc.gov.