VAPORHCS Flu Shot Information Page

Get Your Flu Shot!

An annual flu vaccination is an important step to battle Influenza during the coronavirus pandemic. The VA has many options for you to receive a flu vaccine and also some new options for Veterans to get vaccinated for free at a local pharmacy or urgent care/walk-in care clinics near you!

Veterans enrolled in VA health care may receive their flu shots, free-of-charge.  Please bring with you any form of government issued I.D. with photo.

YOU have lots of ways to get a flu shot...

Free flu shot options for the 2020-2021 season; 

Drive-thru Flu Clinics - Saturdays:

Locations include...

Portland VA Medical Center visitor parking garage (follow signs)
Vancouver Campus (in front of building 20 - see map)
West Linn Clinic
Salem Clinic
Hillsboro Clinic
Fairview ClinicBend Clinic

 Drive-thru Flu Clinics - During the week: 

Locations include...

Portland VA Medical Center visitor parking garage (follow signs)
Vancouver Campus (in front of building 20 - see map)
Salem Clinic
Hillsboro Clinic

Community Care Options:

During scheduled, primary care and specialty face-to-face appointments

 Veterans will need to go through COVID screening when entering any VA facility.
Face masks and physically distancing is required.
No visitors are allowed.

Questions?

Click this link below for many details on WHY YOU should get a flu shot...
Learn more »

Influenza or “the flu” is caused by a virus and can be a serious infection. The flu can be prevented easily or at least made less severe by getting a flu shot. The best time to get a flu shot is as soon as the vaccine becomes available in September. However, getting a flu shot later still will protect you from the flu.

The flu spreads easily from person to person. The infection can be mild, but it also can cause severe illness and even death. Certain people are at greater risk for serious illness if they get the flu. This includes older persons, young children and pregnant women; people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease; and people who live in facilities like nursing homes.

All persons aged 6 months and older should get a flu vaccination, including persons with minor egg allergies. For most people with minor egg allergies, the benefits of getting a flu shot outweigh the risks of getting the flu. If you are allergic to eggs, please tell your health care provider so that special precautions can be made.

The flu shot is safe and it works. While it is not 100% effective in preventing the flu, if you get the shot and still get the flu, it is usually far less serious than if you did not get the shot. Sometimes there are side effects from the shot that may be mistaken for the flu, such as a sore arm, body aches or a slight fever.

In addition to getting the flu shot, there are other things you can do to avoid getting or spreading the flu:

• Wash your hands often;

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;

• Stay home when you are sick if possible; and

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

Billing Details for non-VA Community Providers

Here are billing codes for VA Community Care Network retail pharmacies or urgent care/walk-in care clinics to properly bill the VA. 

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