A flu shot is the best defence this year!
At best, catching the flu is an unpleasant inconvenience. Symptoms such as fever, body aches, headaches and sinus problems result in the need for bed rest as there is no cure for the virus. However, it is also possible to develop serious complications from flu such as pneumonia.
You can reduce your risk of catching the flu drastically by getting a flu shot. Once you have had the vaccine, your body takes between 10 days and two weeks to develop antibodies to protect you against this year’s strain of seasonal flu. Therefore, it's best to get your vaccination as soon as the vaccine becomes available. Look out for posters in your nearest pharmacy.
Are you at risk of developing complications?
Everyone should have a flu vaccination every year, however the vaccination is especially important if you are at risk of developing complications from flu. If you are 60 years or older, or registered on the Chronic Illness Benefit for certain conditions, we encourage you to have a flu vaccination to avoid complications which may result from the flu.
Conditions that make you more susceptible to flu and its complications include:
- Asthma
- Bronchiectasis
- Cardiomyopathy
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic renal disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Diabetes (types 1 and 2)
- HIV.
We pay for your flu vaccine from the Wellness and Preventative Care Benefit
We believe in the importance of flu vaccinations, therefore we do not use your day-to-day benefits to pay for it. Bankmed pays for one seasonal flu vaccine for each member on your Plan each year.
Flu vaccination at your pharmacy or GP
A GP or a nurse at a pharmacy can administer the vaccine. You may not have to pay a consultation fee if you receive your flu vaccination from a pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist.
If you visit a GP, we pay their fee from your available Medical Savings Account funds, if your Plan type has a Medical Savings Account. If you are on the Traditional Plan, the consultation fee is subject to your out-of-hospital GP/Specialist sub-limit. Please consult your Benefit & Contribution Schedule to see whether your consultation will be covered.