Flumist For Preventing The Flu
FluMist is FDA-approved to help prevent influenza caused by the influenza A or influenza B virus. FluMist is for use in children and adults ages 2 to 49 years.
The flu is a contagious viral infection that affects your respiratory system. The flu can be mild or serious, and in rare cases, it can lead to death. Because of the possible risks, its recommended that you receive a flu vaccine each year to help prevent you from getting the flu.
Symptoms of both forms of influenza include:
Effectiveness for preventing the flu
FluMist was studied in a clinical trial of adults ages 18 to 49 years. Researchers followed people in the study over the course of 7 weeks. People who were vaccinated with FluMist were 10.9% less likely to develop an illness with a fever than people who received a placebo. The placebo was a nasal spray that didnt contain the vaccine.
People vaccinated with FluMist were also 23.7% less likely to develop an upper respiratory infection with a fever, compared with people who received a placebo. Upper respiratory infections include the common cold.
FluMist wasnt compared with the flu shot in clinical trials of adults.
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Jamal Downer is a pharmacy manager for Walgreens and is based in New York. He currently is responsible for everything from dispensing prescribed medications and counseling patients to managing the operations of the pharmacy department to include department procedures and practices. Downer joined Walgreens in 2004 as a pharmacist. Downer received a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy in 2004.
Flu Shots And Why They Are Important
The flu shot is the best protection you can get against influenza the one thing we know about flu season is that its always unpredictable we never know when it may peak or how severe it may be thats why each year the CDC recommends a flu shot for everyone over the age of 6 months by October or as soon as vaccine becomes available.
Walgreens offers flu shots whenever its most convenient for our customers and patients. Flu shots are available at any Walgreens pharmacy seven days a week, with no appointment necessary. Theyre available during all pharmacy hours at all Walgreens, Duane Reade pharmacies in New York, and also at our Healthcare Clinic locations.
About one-third of the customers who get their flu shots at Walgreens do so during off hours mainly evening and weekends , which shows the importance of providing vaccinations when its most convenient for our customers/patients.
Get a Shot Give a Shot campaign
When Should You Get Your Flu Shot
Its generally recommended that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October, according to the CDC. This is especially important because of the ongoing spread of COVID-19. The flu season can last until March or April, so you can still get the flu vaccine later. No matter when you get your flu shot, it will still be valuable to help protect you for the rest of the flu season. Talk to your provider about the best time to get your flu shot. Remember to ask about other vaccines you might need to protect yourself this year too.
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Where To Find Free Flu Shots For Children
With up to 198 million doses of seasonal flu vaccine available this year, everyone should be able to get a flu vaccine. And that is good news, especially since the flu vaccine recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices continue to state that all persons 6 months and older should get a yearly flu shot.
Although the best time to figure out where your family will get a flu shot is before flu season really gets started, you can likely still find a flu shot if you need one.
How Effective Is The Nasal Spray Seasonal Flu Vaccine
Flu vaccine effectiveness can vary from year to year, among different age and risk groups, by vaccine type, and even by virus type and subtype. Prior to the 2009 flu pandemic, the nasal spray vaccine was found to be effective against different flu viruses. After the 2009 pandemic, several U.S. studies among 2 through 17-year-olds found that the nasal spray vaccine was as effective against influenza B viruses and influenza A viruses as inactivated influenza vaccines, but was less effective than inactivated flu vaccines against the 2009 pandemic H1N1 viruses. These data led ACIP and CDC to recommend against use of the nasal spray vaccine for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.
Since the 2017-2018 season, the manufacturer of nasal spray vaccine has used new influenza A vaccine virus ingredients in production. Because of limited use, there have been no effectiveness estimates in the United States since LAIV was recommended again in the 2018-2019 influenza season. Data from other countries have demonstrated protection from LAIV to be similar to that of standard-dose, egg-based inactivated flu vaccine in children.
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What Is The Flu
Influenza is a respiratory illness, which means that it affects your airways. It is spread easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing, and even talking. When you get the influenza virus it sometimes takes one to four days before you start noticing symptoms. This means that you could spread the flu to those around you before you even know that you’re sick. Adults may be able to spread the flu for up to seven days after first becoming sick, and children may continue to spread the flu for even longer.
Find A Flu Shot Location Near You
If you have a UnitedHealthcare health plan, you can get a flu shot at more than 50,000 locations.
Enter your ZIP code and select a pharmacy in your area, then select Find my flu shot to see results within a 20-mile radius from the center of your ZIP code.
Please note: If you’re using a screen reader, please select Participating pharmacies, then select a pharmacy to find a location near you.
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Student Health Center Offers Free Flu Shots For Students
As of Saturday, approximately 1,640 students had already received their free flu shot through the Student Health Center .
Free flu shots are now available for all students at the Student Health Center. Shots are available on a walk-in basis, and no appointment is necessary. You must bring your Vanderbilt ID.
We strongly encourage all students to take advantage of this free opportunity and get their flu shot this year. The SHC has increased its staffing to allow for proper physical distancing within the clinic and to minimize wait times.
For added convenience, there are two more Saturdays when flu shots will be made available to students: Sept. 26 and Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Student Health Center offers these tips for avoiding the flu:
- Get your flu shot: The vaccine administered will be a thimerosal-free, latex-free quadrivalent inactivated vaccine. Flu mist is not available due to low effectiveness.
- Cover your mouth and nose: cough or sneeze with a disposable tissue or into your sleeve.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Dont share silverware, dishes, cups and glasses with anybody else.
If you have a fever or flu-like symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with the flu, visit the Student Health Center.
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More Ways You Can Help Protect Yourself Against The Flu
After you get your flu shot, continue to take steps to protect yourself and others from the flu and from COVID-19. That means frequent hand-washing, wearing a cloth mask and keeping a safe distance when youre in public spaces. Here are more ways you can help protect yourself and your community:
If youre feeling sick, stay home
Wash your hands throughout the day, especially after youve been in a public place or if you sneeze or cough
Avoid close contact with others and maintain a physical distance from others when youre in public spaces
Wear a cloth mask to cover your mouth and nose when youre around others. This helps protect others in case you may be infected
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily, like doorknobs, tables, countertops, phones and more
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Important Safety Information Openclose
- You should not get FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT if you have a severe allergy to eggs or to any inactive ingredient in the vaccine have ever had a life-threatening reaction to influenza vaccinations or are 2 through 17 years old and take aspirin or medicines containing aspirin children or adolescents should not be given aspirin for 4 weeks after getting FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise
- Children under 2 years old have an increased risk of wheezing after getting FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT
- Tell your healthcare provider if you or your child are currently wheezing have a history of wheezing if under 5 years old have had Guillain-Barré syndrome have a weakened immune system or live with someone who has a severely weakened immune system have problems with your heart, kidneys, or lungs have diabetes are pregnant or nursing or are taking a medication used to treat influenza like Tamiflu®*, Relenza®*, amantadine, or rimantadine
- The most common side effects are runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and fever over 100°F
I Have Asthma Can I Still Get Flumist
It depends. If you have asthma, you may be at a higher risk for developing wheezing when you receive the FluMist vaccine. Children younger than age 5 years who have wheezing that keeps returning may also be at risk for wheezing with FluMist.
If either of these situations apply, the doctor may monitor you or your child for a longer time than usual after a dose of FluMist. This allows them to treat any wheezing that occurs. In some cases, the doctor may recommend that you or your child have a flu shot instead. Talk with your doctor about the best flu vaccine for you or your child.
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Walgreen’s 7500 Stores Offer Walk
1 Min Read
CHICAGO – Walgreen Cos 7,500 stores now offer flu vaccines to walk-in customers during nearly all pharmacy and clinic hours, the company said on Tuesday.
Immunizations are available at Walgreens pharmacies and Take Care Clinics, the company said. Duane Reade stores, which Walgreens purchased earlier this year, will offer flu shots during all pharmacy hours by September.
Walgreens also will allow direct medical billing through several insurance providers, including UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and some regional providers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the vaccine for everyone over the age of six months. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine protects against H1N1 influenza as well as the seasonal viruses.
The price for a flu shot at Walgreens is $29.99, and the price of a nasal spray vaccine, available at most locations, is $34.90.
Walgreens shares were up 0.5 percent at $28.16 in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
Reporting by Emily Stephenson Editing by Lisa Von Ahn
Spectrum Health Offers Flu Clinics
Vaccine Also Available at Urgent Care, Spectrum Health Medical Group Offices
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone older than six months be vaccinated for the flu this year. Spectrum Health offers several ways to get your flu shot.
Flu ClinicsThe Spectrum Health Continuing Care Visiting Nurse Association has begun distributing the flu vaccine at clinics throughout the community. The current schedule of flu clinics is posted at www.spectrumhealth.org/flu or is available by calling 616.486.3939.
Urgent CareFlu vaccine is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week at Spectrum Health Urgent Care locations in Grand Rapids. The South Pavilion location is open until 10 p.m. Locations can be found at www.spectrumhealth.org/urgent.
Primary CareCurrent patients have the option of making an appointment with their Spectrum Health Medical Group provider to receive the vaccine.
People who worry about getting a flu shot should think again, say experts.
There really is no reason to hesitate about getting a flu shot, said Paul Woods, MD, primary care chief, Spectrum Health Medical Group. We know the vaccination works and potentially saves thousands of lives each year. Its something everyone should consider before flu becomes widespread. Flu shots are particularly important for pregnant women and people with chronic medical problems. Immunization of healthy people helps stop the spread of flu to others.
Flu Facts
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How Are Pharmacists Preparing For The Influx Of People Getting Their Flu Shot And Covid Vaccines
Walgreens:
- Walgreens has enhanced its online scheduler so when patients schedule a flu or COVID-19 vaccine appointment, they are asked if they would like to get additional vaccines.
- Pharmacy team members can administer flu vaccines to children ages 3 and up.
- Walgreens is actively hiring more pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
CVS:
- CVS has optimized digital intake so you can make your appointment online, answer all consent forms ahead of time and decrease touchpoints to get you in and out.
- CVS is actively hiring and says it is prepared to meet the demand.
- All of CVS’ roughly 1,000 MinuteClinic locations vaccinate ages 18 months and above for the flu. At the Pharmacy, it varies by state, but many can vaccinate ages 3 and older.
Can Flumist Spread Or Cause The Flu Through Shedding
Shedding is very common with the FluMist vaccine. However, its very unlikely that this shedding will spread or cause the flu.
Shedding occurs when a virus in your body replicates and is then released to the environment around you. For example, when you receive the FluMist nasal spray, the flu viruses will replicate in your nose. Then if you sneeze, you could spread the flu viruses.
In a looked at viral shedding in younger children, ages 6 to 59 months .* In this study, shedding occurred in:
- 79% of children in the study
- 89% of children ages 6 months through 23 months old
- 69% of children ages 24 months through 69 months old
Another study looked at whether people actually catch the flu when others shed the virus after getting FluMist. Children ages 8 to 36 months received FluMist or a placebo .
The researchers found that 80% of children who received FluMist shed the virus. However, the researchers found only one instance of a flu strain in a child who received a placebo. Based on these numbers, they estimated that the transmission rate of the virus from those who received FluMist vaccine was about 0.58%.
These study results indicate that its unlikely that you would become infected with the flu from someone else who received the FluMist vaccine.
If you have questions about shedding or spreading flu viruses after receiving FluMist, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* The Food and Drug Administration has approved FluMist for use in children and adults ages 2 to 49 years.
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What’s The Best Way To Protect Yourself From The Flu
Video transcript
Its important to get the flu shot every year. The flu shot protects you against the flu virus.
It can help you prevent a hospitalization or complications of actually getting the flu.
It is very easy to find a local pharmacy or your providers office. Its offered in multiple, multiple locations.
Not only that, its also covered at 100% in most plans.
Customers Of Most Age Groups Can Receive Vaccinations In Our Stores
At CVS Pharmacy, vaccinations are available for adolescents, adults and seniors, while at MinuteClinic, children as young as 18 months can receive certain vaccinations. Call your nearest location to talk to the pharmacist about what vaccinations are right for your age group and whats available at that location.
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Company Presents New Data
AstraZeneca, the company that makes FluMist, has been working to identify reasons for the reduced effectiveness and has said it might be linked to reduced fitness of the H1N1 vaccine component. Other research groups have also been trying to tease out the problem with the vaccine, with some suggesting the problem might stem from changes in patient immunity. Since the vaccine was last used in the United States, the company has swapped out the previous 2009 H1N1 vaccine component with a different type .
In the meanwhile, an ACIP working group, led by the CDC’s Lisa Grohskpof, MD, MPH, has been churning through data on the vaccine from the United States and other countries, which led to today’s proposal and committee vote.
At today’s ACIP meeting, the company presented findings from a US study in children ages 2 to 4 on shedding and antibody responses of the H1N1 strain in the latest version of the quadrivalent vaccine. It said the results showed that the new 2017-18 post-pandemic 2009 H1N1 LAIV strain performed significantly better than the 2015-16 post-pandemic LAIV strain . AstaZeneca officials said the new H1N1 strain prompted an antibody response similar to the highly effective H1N1 LAIV strain that was a component of the vaccine before the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
Protect Yourself From The Flu
The flu is a serious contagious disease spread by coughing, sneezing, and nasal secretions. The Centers for Disease Control says that everyone 6 months of age and older should get the flu vaccination because it is the best protection against this disease.
Getting a flu shot early in the season is your best protection against the flu. Dont wait until late in the season because you might have already been exposed to the virus.
All Priority Partners members can receive a flu shot at their primary care providers office. Members can also get their flu shot at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Rite Aid, and many other pharmacies that participate in the flu network. Search for a pharmacy .
If you receive your flu shot at a community pharmacy, please make sure to see the pharmacist at the prescription counter and not an in-store clinic. Some examples of in-store clinics include Target Clinic and CVS Minute Clinic.
Where can I get a flu shot?
Priority Partners members can receive a flu shot at their primary doctors office or at one of many flu network pharmacies, including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Rite Aid, and more. Find a nearby pharmacy.
Can the flu shot give me the flu?
No, the flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The viruses contained in flu shots are inactivated , which means they cannot cause infection.
Are there different types of flu shots?
How much does it cost?
Find a pharmacy in our vaccine network where you can get the flu vaccine.
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