Remind patients to get the flu vaccine

Most healthy people who get the flu experience a mild to moderate illness but won’t need medical care or antiviral drugs. Most will recover in less than two weeks without treatment. But because of the potential for serious complications, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends flu vaccinations for everyone age 6 months and older, and especially for those at higher risk of complications. This group includes:

• Adults age 65 and older
• Children younger than age 2
• Pregnant women and women up to two weeks after the end of pregnancy
• American Indians and Alaska natives
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

Additionally, certain chronic conditions, such as heart disease, asthma, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, increase a patient’s risk of complications due to the flu.

There are also other health conditions that put patients at a higher risk for complications. Some of these include:

• Blood disorders such as sickle cell disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Kidney disorders
• Liver disorders
• Patients with a body mass index of 40 or higher
• Patients with a weakened immune system due to a condition or medications
• Neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions

An FEP^® reminder

There’s no out-of-pocket cost for Federal Employee Program^® members when they receive the flu vaccine. FEP members can call the 24/7 Nurse Line at 1-888-258-3432 with questions about the flu and treatments to manage their symptoms. For more information, FEP members can go to www.fepblue.org or call the Customer Service number on the back of their member ID card.