--- title: Flu Season 2015 -- What You Need to Know description: October is the onset of the flu season. Here are the steps to help your family stay flu-free in 2015. image: https://blog.usfhp.net/hubfs/KL_Images/flu_symptoms.jpeg --- [![](https://usfhp2.knockmedia.dev/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-1.png)](https://blog.usfhp.net/) - [About Us](https://usfhp.net/about/) - [Events & Webinars](https://usfhp.net/events-and-webinars/) - [Contact Us](https://usfhp.net/contact/) [Members](https://member.usfhp.net/) [Providers](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [For Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [Members Login](https://member.usfhp.net/) - [Care Management Program](https://usfhp.net/care-management-program/) - [Health Centers](https://usfhp.net/health-centers/) - [Member FAQs](https://usfhp.net/member-faqs/) - [Providers](https://usfhp.net/providers/) - [For Providers](https://usfhp.net/for-providers/) - [Providers Login](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Become a Member](https://usfhp.net/eligibility/) - [Eligibility](https://usfhp.net/eligibility/) - [Health Benefit Consultants](https://usfhp.net/health-benefit-consultants) - [Plan Benefits](https://usfhp.net/plan-benefits/) - [Tricare Prime Coverage](https://usfhp.net/tricare-prime-coverage/) - [Enrollment](https://usfhp.net/enrollment/) - [Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [For Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [Members Login](https://member.usfhp.net/) - [Plan Benefits](https://usfhp.net/plan-benefits/) - [Care Management Program](https://usfhp.net/care-management-program/) - [Health Centers](https://usfhp.net/health-centers/) - [Providers](https://usfhp.net/providers/) - [For Providers](https://usfhp.net/for-providers/) - [Providers Login](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Webinars](https://usfhp.net/webinars/) - [Contact](https://usfhp.net/contact/) - [Enrollment](https://usfhp.net/enrollment/) - [About](https://usfhp.net/about/) - [Provider Login](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Member Login](https://member.usfhp.net/) ### Contact - - - # Weekly Health Tips # Flu Season 2015 -- What You Need to Know Posted by [Kay Lucas](https://blog.usfhp.net/author/kay-lucas) on Oct 19, 2015 10:12:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Many health professionals recommend seasonal influenza (flu) vaccines as a preventive measure. But are they safe? Are they necessary? Do they actually work? Or are they a shot in the dark? The debate rages ![flu_shot](https://blog.usfhp.net/hubfs/KL_Images/flu_shot.jpeg)on, but the U.S. Center for Disease Control still urges families to get vaccinated against flu every year -- not only to safeguard their own health, but to prevent a large scale epidemic from taking hold in the U.S.   Most seasonal flu activity takes place from October through May, and commonly peaks in the Northeast between December and February. The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older.  October is the best month to be vaccinated, since this is the month that the new flu vaccines are available and it is still well before the peak of the flu season goes into full swing.  [![Cold or Flu? ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/491493/92269477-be57-4d19-8aff-2d8c44bfd615.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/491493/92269477-be57-4d19-8aff-2d8c44bfd615) If you are on side of the debate that gets a flu shot, or prefers to avoid them, there are important everyday steps you can take to safeguard yourself and your family against the flu. These steps include staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs.  If you come down with the flu, make sure you stay home from work or school, to prevent spreading the flu to others. If your symptoms seem serious, make sure you pay a visit to your primary healthcare provider. **What to do if you come down with the flu.**  If you experience flu symptoms, it is best to pay a visit to your **US Family** **Health Plan** primary care physician.  There are antiviral prescription drugs that can be used in some situations to treat flu illness. Some people are at more risk of serious flu complications than others. High risk candidates include children under 2, adults 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions. People![flu_symptoms](https://blog.usfhp.net/hubfs/KL_Images/flu_symptoms.jpeg) who fall into this high risk category, as well as people who come down with a very bad case of the flu, should seek medical treatment immediately.  High risk cases often require prescription antiviral drugs to combat the disease.  Prompt treatment can mean the difference between having a milder illness versus very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay. **Where can I get my 2015 flu vaccine?** As a member of **US Family Health Plan –** a **TRICARE** **PRIME** healthcare option– there are three ways you can get your flu vaccination **at no cost**.  You can always make an appointment with your **US Family Health Plan** primary care physician, you can go to any local CVS pharmacy using your US Family Health Plan ID card or Military ID card, or you can visit Maxor Pharmacy online at [http://www.maxor.com/maxorplus/members](http://www.maxor.com/maxorplus/members) to find information on how to locate your closest US Family Health Plan flu shot provider. As the flu season approaches the decision of whether or not to get flu shots is your choice. Whatever your decision is, **US Family Health Plan** wants your family to be safe, healthy and happy.  Topics: [Healthy Living](https://blog.usfhp.net/topic/healthy-living) [![](http://usfhp2.test/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Group-1774.png)](https://blog.usfhp.net/) To provide the highest quality health care for uniformed services family members, retirees, and their family members. - - - [Contact Us](https://blog.usfhp.net/) [Member's Portal](https://blog.usfhp.net/) Provider Quick Links - About - Resources - FAQs - Videos [Provider's Portal](https://blog.usfhp.net/) Member Quick Links - [Enroll](http://usfhp2.test/enrollment/) - Benefits - Locations - Webinars --- TRICARE is a registered trademark of the Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency. ©2022 All rights reserved. website by [knockmedia](https://knockmedia.com)