Who Should Get The Flu Vaccine
Flu vaccines are suitable for almost everyone except children under the age of 6 months, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Theyre especially important for people who are at a higher risk of complications from the virus, such as seniors 65 and over, pregnant women, children between 6 months and 5 years old, and those with certain chronic health conditions.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before getting a vaccine if youre allergic to eggs , if youve had Guillain-Barré Syndrome, or have any current flu symptoms. You may need a specific type of vaccine, or you may need to delay your appointment.
Seasonal Flu Vaccinations Will Be Available At Target Pharmacy Locations Nationwide Beginning September 20th
No appointment necessary to keep healthy this season
MINNEAPOLIS /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Target announces that flu vaccinations will be available beginning September 20th locations nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends nearly everyone protect themselves against this potentially serious illness. With more than 1,500 pharmacy locations, guests can easily safeguard their health in advance of the winter flu season.
No appointment is necessary for the vaccinations, which will be available at Target Pharmacy locations daily, during pharmacy hours throughout the flu season. The pharmacists at Target Pharmacy will be administering the flu vaccinations starting at only $24 . Visit target.com/flu for specific Pharmacy locations, as Pharmacy hours and program age restrictions vary by store and state. Target Pharmacy accepts many different insurance plans so the vaccinations are often covered at no out-of pocket charges to guests.
” Target Pharmacy is a convenient, affordable option for parents looking to keep themselves and their families healthy this flu season,” said Keri Jones . “By offering vaccinations with no appointment necessary, Target aims to make parent’s lives a little easier.”
Although it does not protect against H1N1, the seasonal flu vaccine is essential to protecting families and is recommended by the CDC. An H1N1 vaccine is currently being produced and distributed by the federal and state government.
Q& a With Pharmacy Expert Hai Tran Pharmd
As the first cases of flu are reported in Los Angeles this season, public health experts are urging anyone who isn’t already vaccinated to get the flu shot. It’s the best protection against the flu, which could pummel the U.S. this winter after nearly disappearing last year.
“Getting vaccinated against the flu reduces your risk of becoming infected as well as your risk of being hospitalized with an infection or dying,” said clinical pharmacist Hai Tran, PharmD, associate director of Pharmacy at Cedars-Sinai. “You not only protect yourself but also those around you, and you are helping build the herd immunity that protects the most vulnerable people in our community.”
With everyone paying more attention to how vaccines work during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Cedars-Sinai Newsroom interviewed Tran to get a closer look at the flu vaccine. It’s easy to take this long-established tool for granted, but a lot of work throughout the year goes into developing a new formulation of the shot each season.
We spoke with Tran for more details on the flu shot’s origins, how it works and how it’s developed each year.
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Flu Shots Are Now Available At Walmarts 4700+ Pharmacies With New Features And Safety Precautions For Covid
BENTONVILLE, Ark., Sept. 8, 2020 Walmart is helping customers and associates live better, healthier lives by making it easier than ever to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu.
New this year, the retailer is launching a digital scheduler, so customers can book an appointment for a flu shot at any one of Walmarts 4,700+ pharmacies for a fast and efficient visit. Additionally, Walmart stores nationwide will host in-store events offering customers convenient flu shots, while following COVID-19 safety precautions.
Also new this year, Walmart is making sure its 1.5 million associates have access to flu shots with no out-of-pocket costs, regardless of their insurance status, so the countrys largest workforce can stay healthy and continue to serve communities throughout flu season. Flu shots are now available at the retailers 4,700+ pharmacies nationwide.
Flu shots are more important than ever in light of COVID-19. With our health care system facing the strain of the pandemic on top of the annual flu season, getting a flu shot can help lessen the burden on the health care industry while also protecting against at least one of the viruses affecting our well-being, Dr. Tom Van Gilder, Walmarts Chief Medical Officer, said. Were all anxiously awaiting the COVID-19 vaccine, but by getting a flu shot now, we can do our immunity service to help keep our communities safe and healthy this fall.
Who Should Get Vaccinated Against Influenza
Yearly influenza vaccination is recommended for people aged 6 months and over. Anyone who wants to protect themselves against influenza can talk to their immunisation provider about getting vaccinated.
The Australian Immunisation Handbook includes more information about specific groups who should get vaccinated against influenza.
The following people are more at risk of complications from influenza and are eligible for annual influenza vaccination free under the National Immunisation Program:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
- Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
- Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
- People aged 65 years or over.
- People aged 6 months or over who have medical conditions that mean they have a higher risk of getting serious disease:
- cardiac disease
- haematological disorders
- children aged six months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy.
Children under nine years receiving their influenza vaccination for the first time require two doses of vaccine, spaced by a minimum of one month.
In some states and territories, influenza vaccines may also be provided for free to other people not listed above. Speak to your immunisation provider or contact your state or territory Department of Health to find out.
People who are not eligible for a free vaccine can purchase the vaccine from their immunisation provider.
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Where Can I Get Free Flu Shots Near Me
Its best to get a flu shot before the end of October. It can still be beneficial to receive later in the season, but you have a higher chance of being exposed before the shot can become effective. In other words, dont wait too long! Check the list below, and go get one ASAP to avoid getting sick. You can also use Vaccine Finder to locate a pharmacy, healthcare provider, health department, or clinic offering the flu shot near you.
How Is The Flu Shot Different From The Covid
Tran: They’re similar in that they both have the same goal of preventing severe illness and death, and they both teach your immune system to recognize and attack a virus. But the two vaccines are very different.
The COVID-19 vaccine targets one version of the coronavirus that causes that disease, whereas the flu vaccine always targets multiple influenza viruses. They are also different types of vaccines produced in different ways. The flu shots are either egg-based vaccines or cell-based vaccines, or they’re made using recombinant technology. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines use messenger RNA to teach your cells how to make the protein that your immune system will target. And the Johnson & Johnson vaccine uses a harmless virus that teaches your body’s cells to make that target protein.
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What Does It Mean When People Talk About The Flu Shot Being A Good Match
Tran: Because the influenza virus is constantly evolving, international public health authorities track the dominant strains year-round. In the U.S., the FDA meets in late February or early March to decide which strains the flu shot should protect against during the following flu season. They settle on the top three to four strains that are likely to spread the most easily and cause the worst harm. Some years, the flu vaccine is a good match for the viruses actually circulating, causing it to work very well. Other years, it’s not as good of a match and less effective.
When To Get The Influenza Vaccine
New season influenza vaccines under the NIP are expected to be available from April. Timing may be different for your local area. Check with your immunisation provider to find out when they will have the vaccine available and when you will be able to book in to have the vaccine.
Annual influenza vaccine should occur anytime from April onwards to be protected for the peak flu season, which is generally June to September. The highest level of protection occurs in the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination.
However, it is never too late to vaccinate since influenza can circulate in the community all year round.
Pregnant women should receive the vaccine at any stage during pregnancy.
Influenza vaccines can be given on the same day with a COVID-19 vaccine.
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Can I Catch The Flu And Covid At The Same Time
Yes. The flu, Covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses have similar symptoms, including cough, fever and body aches. Only testing can identify which virus a patient has, or if a patient has both.
Different tests are used for each, and identifying the difference is essential to treatment. Antiviral treatments exist for influenza, and some patients with Covid-19 receive monoclonal antibody treatment.
Doctors are going to have to do a whole lot more testing this year than in the past, Dr. Schaffner said. It is important to know who has got what.
What Kinds Of Vaccines Are Available
There is more than one flu shot as well as a nasal spray, though shots are much more common. This year, there are four standard-dose flu shots, which are approved for people 6 months of age and older. This is the type of flu shot that most of us get, says Dr. Oller.
Theres also a high-dose flu shot which creates a stronger immune response in adults 65 and over who need extra protection, she adds. The CDC does not recommend one vaccine over another.
Ninety-nine percent of this years vaccines are quadrivalent, which means they protect you against four different strains of the influenza virus. CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations at Target stores are offering both the standard quadrivalent vaccine as well as the higher dose one for seniors.
Theyre also offering an egg-free version for people who are allergic to eggs. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which is best for you.
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How Does The Flu Shot Protect You
The flu shot prompts your immune system to produce antibodies against a specific strain of the flu. If youre exposed to this particular flu virus later, youll already have antibodies ready to fight off the virus.
It usually takes about 2 weeks to build up your immunity to a flu virus after youve been vaccinated against it.
Youll have the most antibodies 1 to 2 months later. After this time, your protection begins to decline. Thats why you need a flu shot every year.
Each years vaccine is based on which strains are most likely to spread during that flu season.
The vaccine wont protect you from every strain. But if you do get sick, itll likely be less severe due to the vaccine.
The 2020-21 flu season may be complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The overlap of these two viral illnesses threatens to overburden hospitals, which typically get an influx of patients who have complications from the seasonal flu.
Getting your flu shot can help lower your risk of flu complications that could put you in the hospital.
Most people have little to no reaction following the vaccine. Theres no live virus in the flu shot, so it cant give you the flu.
Some people have a temporary reaction at the injection site, such as:
- tenderness
Normally, you can get a flu vaccine at your doctors office, your local pharmacy, or even at a walk-in retail clinic.
Some employers even provide flu shots for their employees at their workplace.
- Contact your
Is The Vaccine Safe
Yes, and time-tested. Flu vaccines are very safe, and we can look at more than 50 years of flu vaccine history and several hundred million people vaccinated over this time period as evidence, says Dr. Oller.
Most people have no side effects at all, or only experience mild ones like a sore arm and temporary fever, muscle aches, headache, or fatigue, she adds. And this is actually a good signit means your immune system is working and will be ready if you encounter the actual flu virus.
Beware of flu myths. Science has proved that the flu shot cant give you the flu. It also doesnt cause autism or any other malady, despite continuing rumors to the contrary.
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The Cheapest Flu Shot Retailers
If you dont have health insurance, employer, health department, or other source that offers free flu shots, there are a number of retailers offering discounted or cheap flu shots for the 2021-2022 flu season. And if you do have health insurance that covers flu shots , it might even be more convenient to get a free flu shot at one of these locations than going to your doctor. Most offer online scheduling.
Retailers and pharmacies usually do not offer their flu shot prices online, but thankfully I have a phone and made a few calls. Here are the flu shot prices that I found :
Five Things To Know: Getting Vaccinated At Cvs Pharmacy
Across the country, in nearly 10,000 communities nationwide, our customers turn to their local CVS Pharmacy to help lead them on a path to better health, not only through our prescription services, but our innovative assortment of health-focused products and services as well.
One of those services is vaccinations. Administered in all of our retail locations nationwide by a certified immunizer and by a nurse practitioner at our MinuteClinic locations, our vaccination offerings go well beyond the annual influenza shot. And since no appointment for vaccinations is required, CVS Pharmacy is a convenient and reliable place for customers to get CDC-recommended vaccines when and where they need them.
Here are some things to know before heading to a local CVS Pharmacy for a vaccination.
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Where Can You Get Free Flu Shots
Free flu shots are easier to find than you might think. If you’re a college student, most colleges offer free flu shots on-campus, while many employers offer free flu shots to their staff, says Dr. Sonpal.
Free flu shots are also available at your local pharmacies and some grocery stores. CVS and MinuteClinic locations in Target, for example, offer free flu shots every day at no cost through most health insurance policies and with no appointment necessary, according to a CVS representative.
Walgreens offers free flu shots through most health insurance policies, as well. You can get vaccinated during pharmacy and clinic hours every day without an appointment. The pharmacy is also currently running its “Get A Shot. Give A Shot” campaign: For every shot administered at a Walgreens pharmacy or health-care clinic between now and January 31, 2020, Walgreens will donate a vaccine to a child in need, “up to an aggregate donation value of $2.6 million,” says Rina Shah, pharmacy operations group vice president of Walgreens.
Wholesale clubs like Sam’s Club and Costco offer free flu vaccinations, tooand you don’t even have to be a member to get one, adds Dr. Sonpal. Military veterans enrolled in healthcare through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can also receive a free vaccination at Veterans Affairs health-care facilities.
Flu Shots Now Available At All Cvs Locations
Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in East Greenwich, R.I.
CVS Health announced Wednesday all pharmacies will now begin offering flu shots to continue improving the publics health and protecting the community.
CVS says especially with the rise in cases of COVID-19, its more important now than ever before to keep up with vaccinations and other needs. The CDC recommends getting vaccinated in the early fall, no later than the end of October.
CVS Health has administered approximately 30 million COVID-19 vaccinations to date, in addition to more than 20 million flu and other vaccinations over the past twelve months, Neela Montgomery, Executive Vice President, CVS Health and President, CVS Pharmacy said. We have built a simple vaccination experience where customers appreciate the convenience and safety.
The company says people are increasingly intending to get their flu shot, with 71% saying theyre definitely or most likely going to get it this season, according to a CVS survey.
CVS will have flu shots available seven days a week, with the intention to expand evening and weekend hours.
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How Do I Get A Flu Vaccine At Target
To get a Target flu shot, visit any location with a CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic. You can either walk-in or make an appointment at the CVS website, on the CVS app, or by texting FLU to 287898. You can also fill out a consent form online.
Your confirmation email will contain a link you can use to check in once you get to the store. Most insurance plans, including Medicare Part B, cover the cost of flu vaccines.