How To Get Your Flu Vaccine

Intermountain flu clinics

Click the link below to find an Intermountain flu clinic location near you. Some locations accept walk-ins and call-ahead options, while others may require an appointment.

Doctor appointments

Call your primary care physician’s office to schedule a flu vaccine appointment. If you already have an upcoming visit with your doctor, you may receive your flu vaccine then.

Pharmacy or health department

Call or visit your local pharmacy or health department to get your flu vaccine.

The flu vaccine is recommended for those 6 months and older. Annual flu vaccines are covered by most health insurance plans, including Medicare Part B and D and Medicaid. Check with your insurance provider for any restrictions that may apply.

What is the difference between COVID-19 and influenza?

Influenza (the flu) and COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus that's led to the current pandemic, are both infectious respiratory illnesses. Although the symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu can look similar, the two illnesses are caused by different viruses. Research so far indicates that COVID-19 spreads more easily and has a higher death rate than the flu.

  • COVID-19: Caused by one virus, the novel 2019 coronavirus, now called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2.
  • Influenza: Caused by any of several different types and strains of influenza viruses.
  • Español: Haga clic aquí para descargar un PDF

Symptom Comparison Table

It is important to remember that antibiotics won’t help any viral infections. Usually, the infections just need to run their course, so it’s best to just wait and watch. If your viral symptoms get better, and then days later suddenly get worse, you should contact your healthcare provider who can evaluate whether you may have a bacterial infection.

Who should get their flu vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older, with rare exceptions, because it is an effective way to decrease flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the overall burden of respiratory illnesses is important to protect vulnerable populations at risk for severe illness, the healthcare system, and other critical infrastructure. Thus, healthcare providers should use every opportunity during the influenza vaccination season to administer influenza vaccines to all eligible persons, including;

  • Essential workers: Including healthcare personnel (including nursing home, long-term care facility, and pharmacy staff) and other critical infrastructure workforce
  • Persons at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19: Including adults aged 65 years and older, residents in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and persons of all ages with certain underlying medical conditions. Severe illness from COVID-19 has been observed to disproportionately affect members of certain racial/ethnic minority groups
  • Persons at increased risk for serious influenza complications: Including infants and young children, children with neurologic conditions, pregnant women, adults aged 65 years and older, and other persons with certain underlying medical conditions

Vaccine Recommendations

Under 6 Months

no influenza vaccines are approved for ages younger than 6 months

6 Months to 64 years

Regular dose

Age 65+

High-dose Flu vaccine with Adjuvant

How are the flu and COVID-19 spread?

GermWatch works with the organizations and clinicians throughout Utah to monitor and manage illness in our communities.

Both COVID-19 and flu can spread from person-to-person, between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Both are spread mainly by droplets in the air made when people with the illness (COVID-19 or flu) cough, sneeze, or talk. These droplets can be breathed into the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or inhaled into the lungs.

It may be possible that a person can get infected by physical human contact (e.g. shaking hands) or by touching a surface or object that has virus on it and then touching his or her own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

Both flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 may be spread to others by people before they begin showing symptoms, by people with very mild symptoms or by people who never develop symptoms (asymptomatic) as well as those who are ill (symptomatic).

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer

Annual flu vaccines are covered by most health insurance plans, including Medicare Parts B and D as well as Medicaid.

Please check with your insurance provider for questions about your medical benefits coverage.