When it comes to the flu, don\u2019t risk it \u2013 get vaccinated! Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) health plans cover the cost of the vaccine 100% when it\u2019s administered by an in-network provider, such as your primary care provider (PCP) or retail health clinic<\/a>1<\/sup> or a Spira Care Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spira Care Centers now offer no-appointment flu shots<\/a><\/strong> for members with exclusive access to Spira Care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may know some of the flu\u2019s personality traits: <\/p>\n\n\n\n But here are a few you may not know: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Flu spreads easier than you may think<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember those aerosols we were introduced to during Covid? Turns out, they\u2019re responsible for spreading the flu, too. People with the flu generate infectious, tiny droplets that stay suspended in the air. By simply breathing, not to mention sneezing and coughing, a sick person is spreading the flu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Flu puts older adults and people with heart and lung disease at greater risk<\/strong>2 <\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n Unvaccinated individuals 65 and older and people with chronic conditions are at a greater risk of flu complications. Conditions include but are not limited to: <\/p>\n\n\n\n See what Kansas City Pro Football Hall of Fame member Bobby Bell has to say about getting the flu vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WATCH VIDEO<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Flu and mucus are like oil and water<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n No one likes to think about mucus. But here\u2019s a game changer. The mucus in your nose \u2013 where the flu virus typically invades \u2013 contains antibodies that can protect you from the flu3<\/sup>. Most effective when it\u2019s wet, mucus is at its healthiest when you\u2019re hydrated. So, drink up this flu season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Flu lingers like a bad perfume<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the flu virus moves into your house, it\u2019s there to stay for a while. It has a 48-hour life span on hard, nonporous surfaces and a 12-hour life span on surfaces like clothes and tissues. Your best defense: wash or sanitize all surfaces that come in contact with an infected person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flu shuns vitamin C<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The notion that vitamin C will protect you from the flu is a myth rooted in the 1970s. However, taken in large doses, vitamin C may help reduce the flu\u2019s duration and symptoms. And it can help boost your immune system to fight infections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Flu likes Fido<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your dog and other pets can catch their own strain of the flu that is species specific. Although there\u2019s no chance of infection between you and your furry friend, your pet may have symptoms similar to humans \u2013 sneezing, coughing, and fatigue \u2013 so be on alert during flu season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can still get your $0 flu vaccine. Get your shot from your PCP, an in-network retail health clinic1<\/sup>, or a Spira Care Center (if you\u2019re a Blue KC member with exclusive access to Spira Care).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1<\/sup>Visit Find Care on your Blue KC member portal at MyBlueKC.com<\/a> to locate a PCP or in-network retail clinic near you.Get to know the enemy<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/Bobby-Bell-Gets-a-Flu-Shot-1024x578.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s prime time for the flu vax<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2<\/sup>Flu & People with Asthma<\/a>, Flu & People with Heart Disease or History of Stroke<\/a>
3<\/sup>Mucus, Our Body\u2019s Silent Defender. UNC Healthcare. https:\/\/healthtalk.unchealthcare.org\/mucus-our-bodys-silent-defender\/<\/a>
<\/p>\n\r\n\t\t\tWas this helpful?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t