Every fall and winter, influenza quietly returns. For some people it’s a few miserable days in bed. For others—especially older adults and people with chronic conditions—it can mean hospitalization, long-term decline, or even death.
As a provider, your recommendation is one of the strongest predictors of whether a patient actually gets the flu shot. A simple, confident “I recommend you get your flu vaccine today” can change behavior far more than a poster in the waiting room or a text reminder.
This post walks through practical ways to talk with patients about the flu shot, address common fears, and reinforce everyday prevention habits—so you can protect your patients, your practice, and your community.
Why the Flu Shot Every Year?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine every year, with only a few exceptions.
Key reasons:
- Flu viruses change each year. Vaccines are updated to better match the strains expected to circulate.
- Immunity fades over time. Even if patients received last year’s shot, their protection may have weakened.
- High-risk patients depend on it. Those over 65, people with chronic illnesses (like heart disease, diabetes, asthma, COPD), pregnant individuals, and people with weakened immune systems have a much higher risk of serious complications.
A quick yearly check-in—“Have you had your flu shot this season?”—should be as routine as checking blood pressure.
Talk to Your Patients: Your Recommendation Matters
Many patients are on the fence about flu vaccination. They may be busy, uncertain, or influenced by misinformation. That’s where your voice matters.
Research shows that when providers clearly recommend the flu shot, vaccination rates rise significantly. Patients often assume, “If it was really important, my doctor or nurse would say something.”
Practical approaches:
- Make it personal.
- “Because you have asthma, the flu could be very serious for you. I strongly recommend you get the flu shot today.”
- “You’re 70 now, and older adults are at higher risk for hospitalization from the flu. Let’s get you protected.”
- Use simple, direct language.
- “I recommend a flu shot for you every year.”
- “It’s safe, it’s quick, and it helps keep you out of the hospital.”
- Normalize it.
- “Everyone in our clinic is encouraged to get the flu shot—patients and staff.”
- “This is a standard part of care we offer each fall and winter.”
Even a brief, confident recommendation—backed by eye contact and a calm tone—can shift a hesitant patient toward “yes.”
Reassure Patients About Safety and Side Effects
One of the biggest barriers is fear: “Will I get sick from the shot?” “My friend got the flu after the vaccine.”
You can help by addressing these concerns directly.
Key messages to share
- The flu shot cannot give you the flu.
Flu shots use inactivated (killed) virus or pieces of the virus, not live flu that can cause illness. - Mild side effects are normal.
Some people have:- Soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- Mild fever
- Headache, muscle aches, or feeling tired
- Benefits greatly outweigh risks—especially for high-risk patients.
For older adults and those with pre-existing conditions, the risk of complications from the flu (pneumonia, hospitalization, worsening of chronic illness) is far greater than the risk of vaccine side effects.
You might say:
“You may feel a little sore or tired after the shot, but it won’t give you the flu. What it does is train your immune system to fight the virus, so if you’re exposed, you’re less likely to get very sick.”
Reinforce Everyday Flu Prevention Habits
The flu shot is the cornerstone of prevention—but not the only one. Encourage your patients to combine vaccination with simple daily habits that reduce the spread of germs:
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
If someone at home is ill, limit direct contact when possible and use masks if needed. - Stay home when sick.
Patients who are sick should limit contact with others as much as possible and stay home until at least 24 hours after their fever is gone, except to get medical care or essential items. - Cover coughs and sneezes.
Use a tissue to cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, then throw it away and wash hands. - Wash hands often.
Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, or being in public spaces. Hand sanitizer is a backup when soap and water aren’t available. - Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
These are easy entry points for viruses. - Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Doorknobs, phones, keyboards, remote controls, and shared surfaces can collect flu viruses and other germs.
Reinforcing these steps at each visit—especially during flu season—helps patients build habits that protect themselves and others.
Building Flu Vaccination Into Your Workflow
To make flu vaccination easier and more consistent, consider how it fits into your daily practice:
- Screen every visit during flu season.
Add a simple question at triage: “Have you had your flu shot this season?” If not, offer it before the patient leaves. - Use standing orders.
Allow nurses or medical assistants to offer and administer flu shots to eligible patients without needing a separate provider order each time, based on agreed protocols. - Leverage reminders.
Use your EHR, phone calls, text messages, or patient portal to remind patients when flu vaccines become available. - Educate your team.
Make sure everyone—from front desk to clinical staff—understands the importance of flu vaccination and uses consistent messaging. - Remove cost surprises.
Encourage patients to bring their insurance card and let them know that flu shots are typically covered with no cost for most insured adults and are free through many public programs.
Small systems like these help ensure that “Did we offer the flu shot?” becomes a routine part of every encounter, not an afterthought.
Partner With Community and Health Plan Resources
You don’t have to do this alone. Local health departments, health plans, and community organizations often provide:
- Educational materials for patients in multiple languages
- Vaccine clinic support or outreach
- Guidance on billing and reimbursement
- Help identifying high-risk patients who may benefit most
Connecting patients to these resources—and staying aware of local vaccination campaigns—can amplify the impact of your own efforts.
Conclusion: A Simple Step With Big Impact
Flu season returns every year, but the outcome is not fixed. Each conversation, each recommendation, and each vaccine given changes the story for one more patient and one more family.
By:
- Recommending the flu shot clearly and confidently
- Reassuring patients about safety and side effects
- Reinforcing everyday preventive habits
…you can help reduce hospitalizations, protect high-risk patients, and keep your community healthier throughout flu season.
Source
Adapted from the “MA Flu Shot Reminder” provider handout and supporting references from the American Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Disclaimer
This blog post is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Clinical decisions about vaccination should always follow current guidelines, your organization’s policies, your professional judgment, and individual patient circumstances. Patients should consult their own healthcare providers with any questions about flu vaccination or other medical concerns. In a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
- Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: What the Health Care System Can Do
- Managing Multiple Chronic Conditions in Older Adults: A Practical Guide for Families & Care Teams
- Remind Your Patients: Why a Yearly Flu Shot Matters More Than Ever
- Monitoring your blood pressure at home: a step-by-step guide for patients and caregivers
- 10 Essential Safety Tips for Working with Elders Experiencing Vision Loss
