Sept. 3, 2025
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an annual flu vaccine for most people 6 months and older as the most important action in reducing the risk of flu and its potentially serious outcomes. We encourage you to educate our members about flu risks and the benefits of flu vaccinations. We’ve created information for members to help.
Why are flu vaccines important? Flu infection can cause serious problems for young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions, such as asthma and heart disease. Annual flu vaccination may help prevent illness and reduce illness severity, hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions, according to the CDC.
Tips to consider: Discussing the following with our members may help them feel more informed:
- The vaccine’s benefits and effectiveness
- Side effects that could occur after receiving the vaccine
- Flu symptoms
- Patients' concerns regarding the vaccine
The CDC recommends using the Share, Highlight, Address, Remind and Explain approach when discussing the influenza vaccine with members. Learn more.
Closing care gaps: We track the quality measure Adult Immunization Status. It measures the percentage of members 19 years of age and older who are up to date on recommended routine vaccines for:
- Influenza: Yearly
- Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis: Td or Tdap booster every 10 years
- Herpes zoster (shingles): Two doses of RZV starting at age 50, or one dose of ZVL at age 60 or older
- Pneumococcal: Ages 65 and over, one dose of PCV 15 followed by PPSV 23 or one dose of PCV 20
- Hepatitis B: Two, three or four doses depending on vaccine or condition beginning at age 19 to age 59. People who completed the newborn series doses after 1991 would not need to receive additional doses.
For Illinois Medicaid: Getting a flu shot is a part of the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) measure for HealthChoice Child members up to age 2 years and for members ages 19 years of age and older.
Always check eligibility and benefits first for each member at every visit. Coverage for preventive care services at no cost share may vary depending on the member’s benefit plan. If you have questions, call the number on the member’s ID card.
Member incentive: Members of Blue Cross Community Health PlansSM who are ages 6 months to 2 years and complete their series of flu vaccination may be eligible for a HealthMine incentive. Remind your patients to take advantage of this incentive by logging into BCCHP IL RewardsSM.
Community resource: Each year, our Care Van® Program helps build healthy communities by providing more than 10,000 immunizations. Learn more.
Resources
The above material is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician or other health care provider. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to use their own medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the appropriate course of treatment. References to other third-party sources or organizations are not a representation, warranty or endorsement of such organization. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material, is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider.