Keep Yourself and Your Loved Ones Healthy with a Flu Vaccine

Boston Medical Center is committed to helping you and your loved ones stay healthy. We continue to take steps to protect the health and safety of our patients, visitors, and staff, and are here to provide care and services you need.

Flu season has started, and getting your flu shot this year is more important than ever. Getting a flu vaccine can help prevent the flu, and can help prevent serious illness if you do get the flu.

All patients six months and older should get the flu vaccine. It is particularly important for pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions, and children because they are high risk of having serious flu-related complications.

How to Get a Flu Vaccination

Please call your primary care provider's office or your child's pediatrician to schedule an appointment for a vaccination. Same-day appointments are available. Flu shots are also available during all regularly scheduled clinic appointments, and at pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens.

Adult Primary Care

Flu shots are available at the following times. Walk-ins are available but please make an appointment if possible. Call 617-414-5951 for appointments.

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Adult primary care will also be hosting flu clinics for our primary care patients on Saturday, September 23 and Saturday, September 30. All clinics will be located on Crosstown 6th floor from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We encourage you to schedule an appointment by contacting our call center at 617-414-5951, but walk-ins are also welcome.

Family Medicine

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are available. Please note your wait time could be longer if you don't have an appointment. Call 617-414-2080 to schedule an appointment.

From September through November (excluding holidays), flu shots will be available:

  • Tuesday and Thursday: 5 – 8 p.m.
  • Saturday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
Charles River Medical Practice

Flu vaccines are available by appointment only from September 28 through November 16. Please call 617-414-6800 to make an appointment.

Pediatrics

Appointments for flu shots are available daily during regular clinic hours. Call 617-414-5946 to schedule a flu shot appointment.

  • Monday through Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Ambulatory Pediatrics and the Adolescent Center will also be hosting flu clinics for our primary care patients. All clinics will be located on Crosstown 7th floor. Appointment are encouraged but walk-ins are also welcome.

  • Saturday, September 30 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 12 from 5 – 8 p.m. 
  • Saturday, November 4 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Geriatrics

Flu shots are by appointment only. Call 617-414-4639 to schedule.

Infectious Diseases

Walk-ins and appointments are available. Call 617-414-4290 for appointments

  • Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the flu vaccine cost?

Insurance companies must cover the flu vaccine, so getting one will not cost you anything.

If you do not have insurance, please call your doctor's office to learn more about your options.

Will the flu shot definitely keep me from getting the flu?

We can't guarantee that you won't get the flu, but a flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your risk of getting the flu and of having serious complications if you do get the flu.

Getting a flu vaccine also helps protect people around you – like children under six months old – who may not be able to get the flu vaccine or may be more likely to get seriously sick.

Will the flu shot keep me from getting COVID-19?

While the flu shot can’t prevent COVID-19, it can help you stay generally healthy. It would also be possible to get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, which could be very dangerous, especially for high-risk people like pregnant people or older people. Since the flu shot decreases your chance of getting the flu, it decreases your risk of getting both illnesses at once.

Can I get the flu from the flu vaccine?

No, the flu shot cannot give you the flu, because it does not have live flu virus in it. You might feel slightly sick after getting the flu shot, which is a side effect of the vaccine and will go away within a few days. If you continue to feel sick, call your primary care doctor.

Can I get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine at the same time?

Yes, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu shot at the same time. Your doctor’s office can give you the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at one visit

Are flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines the same kind of vaccine?

No, the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines use different methods to protect you. All these types of vaccine are safe and effective.

A flu vaccine uses an inactivated form of the flu virus to tell your body to make antibodies that will protect you from getting sick if you get exposed to the flu virus again.

The Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines, which tell your body to make a protein that then produces antibodies. These antibodies help protect you from the virus that causes COVID-19.

Should I get the flu vaccine if I’ve had COVID-19?

Yes. As long as you are not currently quarantining due to a COVID-19 diagnosis or exposure, you should get the flu shot.

If you currently have COVID-19 symptoms or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last two weeks, please do not come in to get your flu shot. Call your doctor’s office to schedule a future appointment instead.