Respiratory Virus Season Vaccines
Getting recommended vaccines is important for protecting yourself and your family from serious illness from respiratory viruses. Always talk to your health care provider to determine which vaccines are best for you. Vaccination is one of the ways that we care for ourselves and stay healthy. Good handwashing always helps protect from respiratory viral illness, too.
Can you get one or more of these vaccines at the same time? Yes you can. Getting a Flu Vaccine and other Recommended Vaccines at the Same Time.
- The importance of getting your family the flu shot
- Why should you get the flu shot?
- Will flu shots give you flu? Will the flu shot totally prevent the flu?
- How to avoid an Emergency Room visit during flu season
- Is your child under 8 years old and getting a flu shot for the first time?
- Is it safe to get flu and COVID-19 shots at the same time?
- Our doctor explains why vaccinations matters
- Three flu shot truths from a real ER doctor
Jump to a respiratory virus vaccine:
Flu Shots
Who should get a flu shot?
Even if you’re healthy, you can still get the flu and spread the virus to others. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges everyone 6 months old or older to get an annual flu shot. (The CDC recommends that children ages 6 months to 8 years who are getting the flu shot for the first time receive two doses four weeks apart.1)
Read more flu facts and get answers to frequently asked questions in our flu resources blog.
Where can I get a flu shot?
Your free flu shot is available at:
- Primary care providers’ (PCP) offices. This includes pediatricians. Find a doctor or provider in the UPMC Health Plan network.
- In-network pharmacies, such as CVS, Rite Aid, Giant Eagle, Martin’s, Giant, or many local independent pharmacies.2 Many pharmacies will administer the vaccine to both adults and children.3 When you show your health insurance member ID card, your shot will be free.
- UPMC Urgent Care Centers.
Please note: Flu shots are only available for children 4 years old and up at UPMC Urgent Care locations. - UPMC employees. Find a location using Infonet.
What if you already paid or were charged for your flu shot?
If you have to pay for your shot, we will reimburse you. All you have to do is fill out and submit the Flu Shot Reimbursement Form (PDF) (UPMC for Kids flu shot reimbursement form [PDF]) or use your UPMC Health Plan Login to complete the flu shot reimbursement form on the UPMC Health Plan member site.
For UPMC employees:
Log in to the UPMC Health Plan member site and following this path: Menu > Forms and Guides.
For University of Pittsburgh faculty and staff:
Log in to my.Pitt.edu and follow this path: My Resources > Human Resources > MyHealth Access > Menu > Forms and Guides.
Health Break: How to prepare for flu season | UPMC MyHealth Matters
COVID-19 Vaccine
Who should get a COVID-19 shot?
According to the CDC, everyone 6 months old and older should get a 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine to protect against COVID-19 this fall and winter. This is true regardless of whether you have ever received a COVID-19 vaccine. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines.
CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Where can I get a COVID-19 shot?
Go to in-network pharmacy and show your member ID.
What does the COVID-19 vaccine cost?
The COVID-19 vaccine is free when you go to in-network pharmacy and show your member ID.
The COVID-19 vaccine and children
You and your child may have a lot of questions about COVID-19 vaccines. We can help.
Read our FAQ regarding children and the COVID-19 vaccine
Health Break: What is a vaccine booster and how does it work? | UPMC MyHealth Matters
RSV Vaccine
Who should get an RSV vaccine?
Pregnant people, all adults ages 75 and older, and adults ages 60 to 74 who are at increased risk of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) should get an RSV vaccine. Those who are at risk include people:
- With chronic heart or lung disease.
- With a weakened immune system.
- Who have certain other medical conditions, including severe obesity and severe diabetes.
- Who live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility.
Where can I get the RSV vaccine?
- Adult members should check with their pharmacy to see if the RSV vaccine is in-stock and confirm coverage.
- Children must get an RSV vaccination at their pediatrician’s office.
What does the RSV vaccine cost?
- No cost when visiting a participating pharmacy. Confirm with your pharmacy that they offer RSV and have vaccines in stock.
- No cost when receiving at a pediatrician’s office. Confirm with your pediatrician that they offer RSV, have vaccines in stock and to make an appointment.
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu Vaccines are Important for Children. Reviewed March 22, 2024. Accessed Sept. 27, 2024. Flu Vaccines are Important for Children
2The listed pharmacies are in-network for members who reside in Pennsylvania as of September 2024. If you are an out-of-state member or need further assistance finding a pharmacy, please call the number on your member ID card.
3Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Immunization Bill (Act 80 of 2022), licensed pharmacists, by state law, may administer the influenza and COVID-19 vaccine (collectively “vaccines”) to individuals five years old and older. Based upon amendments to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, state-licensed pharmacists may administer vaccines to persons 3 years old and older. This provision of the PREP Act will expire on Dec. 31, 2024.
UPMC Community HealthChoices participants who are enrolled in a Medicare plan will receive coverage for the vaccine(s) through their Medicare benefits. If UPMC Health Plan does not provide your primary insurance coverage, speak with your primary insurer about vaccination coverage.