Flu season is approaching. To help you prepare, AECOM has partnered with WebMD Health Services in conjunction with TotalWellness to arrange for complementary on-site flu vaccinations at several work locations. In addition, flu vaccination vouchers are available for those unable to attend a flu vaccination clinic at a work location or for those that do not have an onsite flu vaccination clinic at your work location. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to keep yourself healthy.
1. Who is eligible?
All AECOM employees are eligible to participate in an on-site flu shot clinic, if offered at their location (only employees may attend on-site clinics).
All AECOM employees and their spouses/domestic partners are eligible to receive a free flu shot from a participating pharmacy, using the flu shot voucher, between September 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023.
All AECOM employees, spouses/domestic partners and dependent children enrolled in an AECOM medical plan are eligible to receive a free flu shot at their in-network doctor’s office (no voucher required). Although the flu shot itself is free, there may be an office visit copay.
2. Who should get a flu shot?
According to the CDC, everyone six months of age or older should get the flu vaccine, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. Learn more on the CDC website.
If any of the following apply to you, please consult a physician before getting a flu vaccine:
- You have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
- You have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
- You have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (wait until you recover before you get vaccinated).
- You have a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS) that occurred after you received an influenza vaccine, and you are not at risk for severe illness from influenza. In general, you should not receive an influenza vaccine.
3. When can I get a flu shot?
Various AECOM locations are hosting on-site clinics in October, by appointment only. See the online scheduler for details. You may use a flu shot voucher and take it to a local participating pharmacy between September 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023. You can also get a flu shot at your doctor’s office whenever your doctor has them available.
4. What if I am pregnant?
We encourage you talk to your physician about receiving a flu shot during your prenatal visits.
5. What should I wear when I get a flu shot?
Please wear clothing that enables easy access to the upper arm (e.g., short sleeves, loose-fitting shirt or layering with a tank top or undershirt). For men who wear dress shirts and ties, please loosen or remove your tie prior to seeing the flu shot staff. You should be prepared to pull your shoulder out of your shirt, which may require you to unbutton your shirt.
6. How are the flu shots administered?
Flu vaccines are administered via intramuscular injection, which means the medication is injected into a muscle, and in this case, the deltoid muscle (the big muscle on your shoulder).
7. Does the vaccine protect against all strains of the flu?
No. There are many different strains of the flu virus, as well as other similar illnesses. Each year, the U.S. Public Health Service and the Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration select the strains that are most likely to cause illness during the upcoming season. Learn more on the CDC website.
8. Will I get sick from the flu shot?
The flu shot does not contain live viruses, so it cannot “give” you the flu. Learn more on the CDC website.
9. Is the flu shot safe?
The flu shot is safe and effective. Learn more on the CDC website.
10. Do I need a flu shot every year?
The CDC recommends an annual flue shot. Learn more on the CDC website.
11. Do I need an appointment if my work location is offering a flu shot clinic?
Yes. It is important that you schedule an appointment in advance of the flu shot clinic, so our vendor can forecast and order enough serum. If you do not schedule an appointment, you may not be able to receive a vaccination at the flu shot clinic. See the online scheduler for dates/times/locations and to schedule your appointment. No voucher is required.
12. How long will my appointment take?
Once you complete the short paperwork on arrival, it will take approximately five minutes to receive your flu shot.
13. What is the flu shot voucher program?
The flu shot voucher program allows employees and spouses/domestic partners to print a flu voucher to get a free flu immunization at a local participating pharmacy. Flu shot vouchers are available September 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023.
14. How do I get and redeem a voucher?
Print the flu shot voucher. Fill in your name and six-digit employee ID (not your Workday ID) at the bottom of the voucher. Spouses/domestic partners can fill in the AECOM employee ID followed by an “S” – for example, 123456S.
Then bring the flu shot voucher to a participating pharmacy, along with a photo ID, September 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023. Before receiving your flu shot, confirm that the pharmacy will accept the voucher. Do not pay for the flu shot. If the pharmacy does not accept the voucher, identify alternative pharmacies or call the TotalWellness Help Desk at 888.434.4358 x127. (TotalWellness is the administrator of the flu shot voucher program, and the pharmacy network is through OptumRx.)
15. Which pharmacies will accept the voucher?
The flu shot voucher program includes all major pharmacy chains (e.g., Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Kroger, etc.) as well as nearly all independent pharmacies. Use the link on the flu shot voucher to search for a participating pharmacy using your city and state as the search criteria.
16. Do I need to make an appointment at the pharmacy?
Generally, appointments are not required, and you can simply walk in to receive the flu shot. Please check with your local pharmacy with updated COVID-19 policies and procedures.
17. What does the voucher cover?
The flu shot voucher covers the cost of a preservative-free vaccine (safe for pregnant women and children ages 10 and up) or seasonal flu vaccine (quadrivalent dose). Vaccines are subject to availability and the immunizing professional on duty. The voucher does not cover the cost of high dose vaccine or flu mist. High dose vaccines can be requested from your physician’s office.
18. How do I obtain proof of vaccination from the pharmacy?
If you require proof of vaccination, please be sure to request it from the pharmacy at the time you receive your flu shot.