Flu Shot Clinics

Flu Season is almost here. Protect yourself and your family by obtaining your FREE flu shot at a flu shot clinic hosted at various State locations during September, October and November 2024. The flu shot clinics will once again be administered by The Wellness Company (“TWC”). Please note that pre-registration is absolutely required to guarantee an appointment. Walk-ins will only be allowed based on limited available resources.

How to register for a flu shot at a State location

Review the flu shot clinic schedule and take note of your location’s “LOGIN” code.

The schedule is arranged by date and lists the agency name, time, and room location for each location's flu shot clinic. There is also a “LOGIN” code listed in the first column - please make a note of this code before going to TWC’s online registration system.
Register using TWC’s online registration system.
- Go to https://www.thewellcomp.com/patlogin.aspx.
- Enter the “LOGIN” code from the schedule in the “Login ID” field and click the “LOG IN” button.
- Enter required personal information
- Choose vaccine - “Flu -Injectable”
- Enter insurance information. For State employees enrolled in BCBSRI State employee health coverage*, the State’s “Primary Insurance Plan” is BCBS of RI” and your “Insurance ID #” is listed on your BCBSRI card and begins with a “RIS” prefix.
- Choose a 15 minute time slot
- After you submit your registration you can print out a confirmation page or add an appointment event to your Outlook calendar.

If you need to cancel your appointment, please email fluassistant@thewellcomp.com or call (401) 270-5606.

*Those enrolled in the State employee health coverage can earn $50 in co-share credit. For more information, please visit Rewards for Wellness 2024-2025.

Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine*

When should I get vaccinated?

Flu vaccination should begin soon after vaccine becomes available, ideally by October. However, as long as flu viruses are circulating, vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even in January or later. While seasonal influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, during most seasons influenza activity peaks in January or later. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in their community.

Why do I need a flu vaccine every year?

A flu vaccine is needed every season for two reasons. First, the body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection. Second, because flu viruses are constantly changing, the formulation of the flu vaccine is reviewed each year and sometimes updated to keep up with changing flu viruses. For the best protection, everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated annually.

Does flu vaccine work right away?

No. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection. That’s why it’s better to get vaccinated early in the fall, before the flu season really gets under way.

Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?

No. A flu vaccine cannot cause flu illness. Flu vaccines that are administered with a needle are currently made in two ways: the vaccine is made either with a) flu vaccine viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ and are therefore not infectious, or b) with no flu vaccine viruses at all (which is the case for recombinant influenza vaccine). The nasal spray flu vaccine does contain live viruses. However, the viruses are attenuated (weakened), and therefore cannot cause flu illness.

*Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.