Get a Free Flu Shot

Getting a flu shot is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family this fall. Abbott offers two ways to protect yourself this year with a free flu shot:

• Onsite at Abbott. Many Abbott locations offer onsite flu shots for employees in September and October, even if not enrolled in an Abbott medical plan. Check out the 2020 schedule to see if your site is hosting. Appointments are required, so register today!
• From your physician or a convenient care clinic. Abbott medical plan participants and their covered dependents can visit their in-network physician or an in-network convenient care clinic for their flu shot. If you go out of network, your flu shot is covered once you meet your deductible and pay coinsurance.

ONSITE FLU SHOTS: WHAT TO EXPECT

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Abbott is working with our vendor partner to support a safe experience for everyone. To maintain a safe number of people in the room, walk-ins will not be offered so make your appointment in advance. Face coverings are also required for anyone receiving a flu shot.

When you arrive for your appointment, a nurse will administer quadrivalent vaccines which protect against two A-strains and two B-strains of the flu virus.

• A/Guangdong-Maonan/SWL1536/2019 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus
• A/Hong Kong/2671/2019 (H3N2)-like virus
• B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus
• B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (Yamagata lineage) virus

THE FLU AND COVID-19

According to the CDC,  there is no evidence that getting a flu vaccine increases the risk of getting COVID-19. There are many benefits from flu vaccination and preventing the flu is always important. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more important that we all do everything possible to reduce illnesses and preserve scarce healthcare resources.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

All U.S. Abbott employees are eligible to receive their flu shot at an onsite event. However, you should talk to your doctor if you are allergic to eggs, egg products or are pregnant. Pregnant women are not eligible. As a reminder, stay home if you are feeling sick or experiencing one or more of the COVID-19 symptoms as outlined by the CDC guidelines, such as, but not limited to, fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting etc. You will not receive a flu shot if you are exhibiting one or more of these symptoms.

PROOF OF VACCINATION

If you participated in an onsite flu shot event and need proof that you were vaccinated, you may request a flu vaccination receipt by sending an email to Affiliated Physicians at [email protected] or download a copy here. When you send an email, provide your first and last name, the location and date you got the flu shot, and Abbott UPI or Alere ID. Please allow up to 5 days to be able to provide verification.

PREVENTIVE CARE PAYS OFF

Take advantage of all the free preventive benefits available under your Abbott medical and dental coverage:

• Flu shots and other immunizations
• Annual check-ups and teeth cleanings
• Routine screenings, such as lab tests, mammograms and colonoscopies

Talk to your doctor about what might be right for you and your family.
Visit AbbottBenefits.com today to learn more.