Spouses, same-gender domestic partners, dependents and retirees on the Blue Cross Blue Shield are covered at 100 percent, as are retirees with the Medicare Part B card. HMO participants should check with their plans to determine coverage.

Can you afford to get the flu?

Every year in the United States, on average:

• Five to 20 percent of the population gets the flu

• More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications

• Approximately 36,000 people die from flu.

Getting the flu can cost you time and money. Missed days from work and missed time with family and friends can have a negative financial and emotional impact. The best alternative is prevention and a vaccination is your best shot at protection.

Who should not be vaccinated?

Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs

• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past

• People who developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously

• Children younger than six months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group)

• People who have a moderate or severe illness. If you have a fever you should wait to get vaccinated until your symptoms lessen.

If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your healthcare provider.