Do you normally receive your care at a military hospital or clinic? If the flu vaccine isn’t available at a military hospital or clinic, you can still get the vaccine at no cost through the TRICARE network.

First, check with your military hospital or clinic for availability. If the flu vaccine is unavailable, follow the guidance below. 

Remember, if you’re an active duty service member or National Guard and Reserve member, follow your unit chain of command and service guidance for recording the vaccine in your service medical record.

Stateside

If the flu shot is unavailable at your military hospital or clinic, you can get your flu shot:

• From a TRICARE participating network pharmacy at no cost. Remember for it to be covered, the vaccine must be administered by a pharmacist at a participating network pharmacy or a TRICARE-authorized providerAn authorized provider is any individual, institution/organization, or supplier that is licensed by a state, accredited by national organization, or meets other standards of the medical community, and is certified to provide benefits under TRICARE. There are two types of TRICARE-authorized providers: Network and Non-Network. DS at a participating network onsite clinic.
• From a TRICARE-authorized network provider at no cost. Confirm whether your network provider is offering the vaccine. Although the cost of the vaccine is covered, you may still have to pay toward the cost of the visit with the provider based on your plan.

You can also use a TRICARE non-network provider or non-network pharmacy, but deductible and cost-shares may apply based on your TRICARE plan. You may have to pay out of pocket and file a claim for reimbursement.

Overseas

There are two ways to get the flu shot overseas:

• Get a referral from your military hospital or clinic provider, and an authorization from the overseas regional contractor. Then see a civilian TRICARE-authorized provider for a flu shot at no cost.
• Or visit a civilian TRICARE-authorized provider without a referral for a flu shot. Remember that you’ll pay up front. You’ll need to submit a claim with the TRICARE overseas contractor for reimbursement. Learn how to file a claim for care overseas.

Learn more about TRICARE coverage of your flu shot, and take command of your health.