Advise Your Aetna Clients About Flu Season

Getting a flu shot doesn't just protect people against seasonal flu, it also contributes to the overall health of the community and minimizes the impact on health care resources. Aetna strongly recommends getting a flu shot, and they ask you to remind your clients to promote the vaccine among their employees.

A flu shot decreases the likelihood of getting sick from influenza. And while people who get a flu shot may still get sick, a vaccination is effective in preventing the most severe forms of the flu. In addition, widespread flu vaccinations help minimize the impact on health care resources affected by COVID-19.

Getting vaccinated against influenza contributes to a healthier work environment, too. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that employers can expect a 40 to 60 percent reduction in the risk of flu illnesses among their overall population with the flu vaccine¹.

Here are a few ways you can help promote access to flu shots this year:

• Retail locations. Your clients’ employees and their families can get a flu shot at their doctor’s office² or by visiting one of many flu vaccine providers³ Aetna has contracts with, including CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic®. Patients can make an appointment with a CVS pharmacist by visiting CVS.com, using the CVS app or texting FLU to 287898. There’s also an option to complete a digital intake form prior to the visit to limit in-person contact in the store. Walk-ins are welcome at CVS pharmacies⁴.

• Onsite vaccine clinics. Aetna can work together as trusted advisors to offer shared clients the opportunity to host onsite flu shot clinics through CVS Pharmacy. Clinics are available at client-designated locations in all states, except Wyoming. A minimum of 24 flu shot vaccines must be administered during each clinic, and a clinic must be at least two hours long. The requested clinic location must be within 75 miles of a CVS pharmacy and in the same state. For more details, see the Onsite Vaccine Clinics program guide. Visit the CVS.com Vaccine Clinic Scheduler to help plan sponsors schedule an onsite flu clinic. Or contact your Aetna account representative for more information.

Whether in a store or at an onsite vaccine clinic hosted by your client, Aetna is taking additional steps to help patients feel safe during the entire immunization process. All patients must wear a face covering and will have their temperature taken prior to the immunization. Pharmacists and MinuteClinic providers will wear personal protective equipment and follow enhanced cleaning protocols.

Targeted member outreach. Members may receive messages from Aetna encouraging them to get their flu shot. They’ll also have access to digital tools to search for the nearest flu shot location and get answers to basic questions about the flu.

Aetna knows that employee health and safety is top of mind for employers, and they are available to help in any way they can. Aetna also remains committed to providing valuable partners like you with the resources you need to keep your clients educated and informed. In the coming weeks, Aetna will provide you with additional information about the flu, which you can share with your clients.

For questions, please contact a member of your B&P Sales Team - 888.722.3373.

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Vaccine Effectiveness: How Well Do the Flu Vaccines Work?,” https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/vaccineeffect.htm
² Aetna Whole Health℠ members should go through their primary care doctor for the flu vaccine.
³ For a complete list of other participating providers, your clients' employees and families can log in to their member site at Aetna.com and use our provider search tool.
⁴ Flu shots available when MinuteClinic health care provider is on duty. Age restrictions may apply.