Flu and Virus Prevention

The flu is a serious disease. Like colds, flu is caused by a virus. It also spreads easily. Unlike colds, you can get a shot to help protect yourself and others from serious illness. Most people who are 6 months or older should get a yearly flu shot.

Get a flu shot at no cost from an in-network provider or pharmacy. Use the Provider Finder^® for your plan:

• CHIP Provider Finder
• STAR Provider Finder
• STAR Kids Provider Finder

RSV is another common virus. It often causes mild symptoms. However, it can be very serious for infants under 6 months or those older than 65. RSV can spread by cough, sneezing and droplets. Help protect yourself and your loved ones. Medicine may be available to help protect your baby. Talk to your child’s doctor to understand your choices.

If you have questions about which RSV tests or services are covered, call the Customer Advocate Department for your plan.

Learn more about RSV prevention.

COVID-19 is another common virus. It spread rapidly during the recent global pandemic. The virus can cause mild symptoms in some people. But in others, it can cause serious illness or even lead to death.

Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters is the best way to protect yourself from a severe infection. You can also reduce your risk of catching COVID-19 by:

• Avoiding contact with sick people,
• Washing your hands frequently,
• Cleaning surfaces with disinfectant, and
• Using hand sanitizer often.

If you have questions about which COVID-19 tests or services are covered, call the Customer Advocate Department for your plan.

Learn more about COVID-19.

This vaccine protects you from bacteria that can cause problems like pneumonia, meningitis, and ear infections. Kids and adults should get this shot if their doctor says so. Find out more at VaccineInformation.org.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be very serious. It can be stopped with a vaccine. Learn more at VaccineInformation.org.

With this illness, you cough a lot. It is especially bad for babies, but anyone can get it. Vaccines help prevent it and protect infants. Learn more at VaccineInformation.org.

You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus, even if they don't have signs or symptoms. HPV can cause cancer in the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus or the back of the throat later in life. The HPV vaccine can help prevent most of these cancers.

Learn more about HPV.

Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that requires immediate treatment in a hospital. People who have never received a tetanus vaccine are at increased risk for the disease.

Learn more about tetanus.