Flu season is approaching. To help you prepare, WebMD Health Services has partnered with TotalWellness to arrange for complementary onsite flu clinics at various AECOM offices (employees only). In addition, a flu vaccination voucher is available for spouses/domestic partners and for employees unable to attend an office vaccination clinic.
Q: Who should get a flu vaccination?
A: According to the CDC, everyone 6 months and older should get the flu vaccine, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. There are some people who should not get a flu vaccine without first consulting a physician. These include:
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs (they should opt for the vaccine manufactured without the use of eggs).
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
- People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)
- People with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS) that occurred after receiving an influenza or other vaccine and who are not at risk for severe illness from influenza, should generally not receive vaccine.
Q: Who is eligible for a flu vaccination?
A: These groups are eligible for a free flu vaccination:
- Employees only can receive a free flu vaccination at participating AECOM office locations.
- Employees and spouses/domestic partners can use the flu voucher from September 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
- Contractors at the office should check with the local Well-Being Ambassador for walk-in options.
For dependent children, locate a flu vaccine provider in the community.
Q: When can I get my flu vaccination?
A: Onsite flu vaccination clinics will be offered in October at various participating AECOM office locations. Employees will receive an email from their respective office Well-Being Ambassador with instructions to make a flu shot appointment. Please note that AECOM pays in advance based on appointments, so it is important that you show up for your appointment.
Employees and spouses/domestic partners can print a flu vaccination voucher from the WebMD well-being portal and take it to a local participating pharmacy between 9/1/2023-3/31/2024.
Q: How do I pre-register for an onsite flu vaccination?
A: To find out if your office location is hosting a flu shot clinic, simply log into the WebMD well-being portal and click on the Flu card on the home page. Select the onsite option and find your location. If participating, you will then enter your first name and last name, email, and phone number. Provided you enter a valid email address, you will receive a confirmation email and two reminder emails.
Q: What should I wear to get a flu vaccination?
A: Please wear clothing that enables easy access to the upper arm (e.g., short sleeves, loose-fitting shirt or layering with a tank top or undershirt). For men who wear dress shirts and ties, please loosen, or remove tie prior to your appointment. You should be prepared to pull your shoulder out of your shirt, which may require you to unbutton your shirt.
Q: Where are the flu vaccines given?
A: Flu vaccines are administered via intramuscular injection, which means the medication is injected into a muscle, and in this case, the deltoid muscle (the big muscle on your shoulder).
Q: What if I am pregnant?
A: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and many other organizations all strongly recommend flu vaccinations for pregnant women. We encourage you talk to your physician about receiving a flu vaccination during your prenatal visits. Flu vaccinations offered at onsite events are thimerosal/preservative free.
Q: Who will administer the flu vaccine?
A: WebMD Health Services partners with TotalWellness to provide flu vaccinations.
Q: Does the vaccine protect against all strains of the flu?
A: No. There are many different strains of the flu virus, as well as other similar illnesses. Each year the U.S. Public Health Service and the Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) select the strains that are most likely to cause illness during the upcoming season.
The 2023-2024 quadrivalent vaccine for this flu season contains the following virus strains:
- an A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus.
- an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus.
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus; and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
Q: Is the vaccine preservative free?
A: All flu vaccinations provided at onsite work locations by WebMD are preservative free.
For the flu voucher, preservative free vaccine availability varies by pharmacy. It is recommended that you call ahead to confirm availability.
Q: Will I get sick from the flu vaccine?
A: The flu vaccine does not contain live viruses, so it cannot “give” you the flu.
Q: Is the flu vaccine safe and effective?
A: The flu vaccine is safe and effective. There are some potential side effects to receiving a flu vaccine, but these are very few and mild. The most common side effect is soreness in the arm where the vaccine was administered. This usually lasts a few days and does not affect the arm function but will cause aching. Some people develop mild body aching and a very low-grade fever for a few days after vaccination. Antibodies that provide protection against the flu peak about two weeks after vaccination.
Q: What is the flu voucher and how do I get one?
A: The flu voucher program allows employees and spouses/domestic partners to print a flu voucher to get a free flu vaccination at a local participating pharmacy. Flu vouchers can be downloaded by logging into the WebMD well-being website, clicking on the Flu card on the home page, and selecting the voucher.
Q: How do I use a voucher?
A: After downloading the flu voucher, click on the link in the voucher to find a participating pharmacy. Then print the voucher and enter your name and employee ID. Spouses/domestic partners will enter their name and the employee’s ID + the spouse/domestic partner’s date of birth.
Q: Which pharmacies will accept the voucher?
A: The flu voucher program includes all major pharmacy chains (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Kroger, etc.) as well as nearly all independent pharmacies. Use the link on the flu voucher to search for a participating pharmacy using your city and state as the search criteria.
Q: Do I need to make an appointment at the pharmacy?
A: Generally, appointments are not required, and you can simply walk in to receive the flu vaccine. Please check with your local pharmacy to verify vaccine availability.
Q: How do I redeem the flu voucher?
A: Bring the flu voucher to a participating pharmacy, along with a photo ID, to get your free flu vaccination. Vouchers are redeemable starting September 1, 2023 and valid through March 31, 2024. Be sure to confirm the pharmacy accepts the voucher prior to receiving your flu vaccination. Do not pay for the flu vaccine. If the pharmacy does not accept the voucher, identify alternative pharmacies or the OptumRX Help Desk at 888.434.4358 x127. (OptumRX is the administrator of the flu voucher program).
Q: What does the voucher cover?
A: The flu voucher covers the cost of a preservative-free vaccine (safe for pregnant women) or seasonal flu vaccine (quadrivalent dose). Vaccines are subject to availability and immunizing professional on duty. The voucher does not cover the cost of high dose vaccine or flu mist. It is recommended that employees and spouses/domestic partners consult with and receive the high dose from their healthcare provider.
Q: How do I obtain proof of vaccination from the pharmacy?
A: If you require proof of vaccination, please be sure to request this from the pharmacy at the time you receive your flu vaccination.
Q: What if I have additional questions?
A: Please contact WebMD Health Services with any additional questions at 800.493.5980.