Where Can I Get A Flu Shot
There are more places than ever to get your flu vaccination. Doctorsâ offices, clinics, and health departments offer the flu shot but you may need to make an appointment in advance. Pharmacies have become an easy and convenient option to get your flu shot. At Walgreens, we offer flu shots whenever a pharmacist is on duty. Walk-ins are welcome, but if you’d prefer, you can make an appointment online. Find a location near you to ask about vaccine availability or schedule an appointment online.
What Are The Symptoms Of The Flu
Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. Flu symptoms in adults include:
- Fever above 100°F
- Cough
- Sore throat
Children with the flu may have the same symptoms as adults, but young children may have different symptoms. Additional flu symptoms in kids can include:
- High fever
- Gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite
How Is Flu Testing Done
Health care providers often diagnose the flu based on symptoms alone. In many cases, there’s no need to test for the flu since the results won’t change the treatment. But sometimes health care providers do lab testing for the flu. This involves your provider swabbing the back of your throat or inside of your nose. They’ll run a rapid test on the specimen in their office, or send the specimen out to a lab to be analyzed.
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How Do You Get The Flu
The flu is thought to be spread through tiny droplets that come out of an infected person’s mouth during sneezing, coughing or talking. People nearby can inhale the infected droplets and become sick. You can also catch the flu if the infected droplets get on your hands and you touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Fast Facts About The Flu And Flu Shot
- The flu is very contagious you are most likely to give it to others before realizing that you are sick.
- Today’s flu vaccine is safe millions of people receive flu shots each year. You may experience a sore arm or mild fever for a day or two after receiving the shot, but this is not the flu. It is impossible to get the flu from a flu shot.
- The flu shot will not make your medications less effective or your current illnesses worse.
- If you are age 50 or older or if you have chronic medical conditions , we strongly recommend that you get a flu shot each fall.
** Walgreens accepts most insurance plans, including Medicare. However, there may be a cost to a VA patient for the flu shot. Vaccine subject to availability. State-, age- and health-related restrictions may apply. References to Walgreens or other non-VA pharmacies do not constitute or imply VA endorsement of these companies, their services, or products.
What you can do to reduce the spread of infection:
- avoid contact with people who are sick
- wash your hands often
- keep your hands away from your face
- cover coughs and sneezes in your elbow
- stay home when you are sick
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Can I Get The Flu Shot If I’m Pregnant
Yes, the CDC recommends receiving a flu shot during pregnancy. In fact, it is recommended that all women who are pregnant or may become pregnant during the flu season receive a flu shot during any trimester. A flu shot protects both the mother and the baby from getting the flu since the mother can pass some of the antibodies onto the baby. Any of the age-appropriate flu shots may be used. It is important that pregnant women only receive a flu shot the nasal spray flu vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy.
Here’s What To Know Before You Go
Putting off getting your flu shot or other vaccines because you don’t have time for a doctor’s appointment? The next time you pick up a few things at the drugstore or grocery store, consider updating your vaccinations at the pharmacy.
Pharmacists are trained in immunization technique and are well versed in how to administer shots, according to Carmen Catizone, D.Ph., executive director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy .
“In fact, today, more patients are receiving their vaccinations from pharmacists than other healthcare providers,” says Catizone.
CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and other chains and some independent pharmacies offer more than the flu shotthey typically also administer other immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , including vaccines against pneumonia, polio, shingles, Tdap , and varicella .
In addition, many also offer travel immunizations for meningitis, typhoid, yellow fever, and other diseases.
An added perk: CVS, Walgreens, and other chains offer loyalty programs that earn you reward points towards discounts on other store purchases. Sign up online or at the pharmacy counter.
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Saving On Pharmacy Vaccinations
Just like at your doctors office, pharmacies that offer vaccinations will file with your insurance.
Many vaccinations wont cost you anything if you have a private insurance plan through your employer or that you purchased on a state marketplace. Under the Affordable Care Act, private plans are required to fully cover the cost of recommended vaccinations for adults and children as preventive medical care.
Unfortunately, Medicare doesnt do as good of a job of covering recommended immunizations. Only flu, pneumonia, and hepatitis B vaccines are fully covered under Medicare Part B. Other vaccinations are treated like prescription drugs and are covered under Medicare Part D or Advantage plans. That means youll be responsible for paying any co-pays and deductibles required by your prescription drug plan.
If youre paying out of pocket, shop around to find the lowest price. When we checked, we found the lowest prices without insurance at Costco. For example, Pneumovax pneumonia vaccine cost $110 at CVS and Target, but just $97 at Costco pharmacies. And the dual Hepatitis A and B vaccine costs $145 at CVS, $150 at Walgreens , and $93 at Costco.
Another option if you are uninsured or paying out of pocket is to check with statewide free health clinics and community health centers, which offer free or low-cost preventive care and low-cost vaccinations. Find a clinic near you.
How Effective Is The Flu Shot
The vaccine formulation changes every year to try to “match” the influenza viruses that are spreading in our communities. The vaccine is more effective when it has a good match. Even if a flu vaccine was not well-matched, it is still beneficial to get vaccinated. If you do get the flu after vaccination, influenza illness may be less severe than if you had not been vaccinated. Getting vaccinated also helps to protect your community by promoting herd immunity.
How well the vaccine works varies from year to year. Overall, receiving the flu vaccine usually reduces the risk of getting the flu by between 40% and 60% among most people when the vaccine is well-matched with the isolated virus. Some people respond better than others to the flu vaccine and build stronger immunity. People that are older than 65 years typically build weaker immune responses to the influenza vaccine which is why there are special flu vaccines made especially for seniors.
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Flu Shot Effectiveness Rate & Time Before It Takes Effect
I have often wondered how long it takes for a flu shot to take effect. According to the CDC, it generally takes about 2 weeks for the flu vaccine to protect you from catching the flu virus.
The flu shot effectiveness rate is widely disputed. There are many variables age, severity of a virus in a given season, new strains, unreported cases, and even effectiveness by manufacturer that make it hard to nail down an effectiveness rate. Ive seen effectiveness rates reported as anywhere from 40% to 90%.
Regardless of effectiveness rate, there is no risk in getting the flu from a flu shot, so sign me up. It is recommended that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu shot. And it is recommended that children between 6 months and 8 years of age get 2 shots per season.
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.
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The Difference Between Cold And Flu
It can be challenging to tell the difference between a cold and the flu since both illnesses cause similar symptoms. In short, the flu often presents with a fever, body aches, chills and exhaustion, while a cold normally doesn’t. Colds commonly cause a sore throat, sneezing and stuffy or runny nose, while the flu only does sometimes. At home treatments for colds and flu are often the same and include plenty of bed rest and fluids.
Why Should You Get Vaccinated At Walgreens
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Walgreens offers scheduled and walk-in flu vaccinations. Here are just a few of the many reasons to get vaccinated at Walgreens:
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Many convenient locationsWith over 9,000 locations in all 50 states, you can easily find a location near you.
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Earn rewards on in-store purchasesWith MyWalgreens, you can earn $5 Walgreens Cash rewards on your next in-store purchase of $20+ for every vaccine you get at Walgreens.
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Get your flu shot and help a child in needWith Get a Shot. Give a Shot.®, we’re helping provide 100 million life-saving vaccines to children in need around the world by 2024. When you get your flu shot, you help provide a life-saving vaccine to a child in need.
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Book your vaccine appointment and an Uber in one appGetting to your vaccine appointment is even easier now that Walgreens is partnering with Uber. Find available COVID-19 appointments at Walgreens and book your Uber ride to the appointment through one seamless in-app experience.
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Take your whole family to be vaccinated at one placeWalgreens offers flu shots for anyone ages three and older in most states.
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Your flu shot will always be given by a licensed pharmacist, pharmacy intern or trained technician in all Walgreens pharmacies.
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Walgreens has protocols in place to protect you from COVID-19 Immunizers wear disposable surgical masks and face shields while administering vaccinations. Patients are required to wear face covers while receiving their shot.
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Where To Get Cheap Or Free Flu Shots
The annual flu vaccine can help protect you from getting the flu and reduce the severity if you do contract it.
The CDC recommends flu shots annually for everyone 6 months and older.
Although September and October are the ideal times to get vaccinated, the CDC notes that you can get a vaccine so long as the flu virus is circulating flu season doesnt officially end until around April or May.
If you have health insurance, youll likely be able to get a free flu shot. But even if you dont have insurance, you can still find affordable and sometimes free options.
Some providers may have limited supplies of the flu vaccine, so check with your location before you go.
Ready to protect yourself from the influenza virus? Heres where to go for your shot.
Walgreens In Democratic Republic Of Congo
Mama Bwanga was heartbroken when two of her children died within days of each other during the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s worst measles epidemic in 2019. In fact, the African country’s measles outbreak was the worst in the world that year, even outpacing the death toll of the simultaneous Ebola epidemic.
To make matters worse, Mama Bwanga and her children lived in the Nsele district, which was a hotspot of the measles outbreak. The district includes impoverished rural communities near the main international airport, which had more than 8,221 measles cases and 137 deaths that year.
It was my four-year-old daughter, Mireille, who fell sick first. I had never heard of measles before, the 25-year-old mother said of the highly-contagious disease.
In 2020, Mama Bwanga made it a priority to travel to the local health clinic to vaccinate her three remaining children Dieu Merci, Mélé, and Raissa against measles so that the disease doesn’t claim children again.
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What Is Herd Immunity
Another term for herd immunity is “community immunity.” When enough people in a community are vaccinated against a particular virus, the virus won’t be able to easily spread. Some people can’t get vaccinated and others are vaccinated but don’t have strong immune responses. These people are especially vulnerable and rely on herd immunity for protection against diseases. Every time you get vaccinated you are protecting yourself, your family, and your community.
Without Insurance Flu Shots Usually Cost $25 A Local Program Will Offer Them For Free
But only between 30% and 40% of Texas adults have gotten their flu shot in recent years, according to the state health department and survey data.
One reason season flu shots uptake is so poor is because, unlike the COVID-19 vaccine, the flu shot costs money if a person doesn’t have health insurance to pay for it. Pharmacies and health clinics usually charge about $25 for a standard flu shot for someone without insurance.
But this flu season, Tarrant County Public Health is again partnering with pharmacy chains to provide the shot for free to county residents who don’t have insurance.
“If people go into a pharmacy, one of those participating pharmacies, and they do not have insurance, they can still get vaccinated,” Vinny Taneja, the county’s director of public health, said. “The county will pick up that cost on the back end with the pharmacy under our arrangement.”
County commissioners approved Tuesday an agreement with Brookshire’s and Albertsons, which also operates Tom Thumb grocery stores. Partnerships with other chains, including Kroger’s and Walgreens, are expected to be ready for commissioners to vote on next week. Walmart and CVS pharmacies are not participating in the program, Taneja said.
Tarrant County Public Health will publish a complete list of all the participating pharmacy locations where people without health insurance can get a free flu shot soon, Taneja said. Not all locations of the participating chains will offer free shots.
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What A Flu Shot Will Cost You At These 6 Stores
If you haven?t gotten your annual flu vaccine this year, it?s not too late. Flu season peaks between December and March, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
And while there?s no evidence that getting a flu shot will protect you from COVID-19, it can be helpful in another way. The fewer people who contract the flu this year, the better: U.S. healthcare systems are already strained under the demands of the ongoing pandemic.
Most flu vaccine in the U.S. is quadrivalent, which means it protects against four strains of the virus. There are also specially formulated flu vaccines, including a high-dose vaccine, for people over 65.
While most major health insurance providers cover the cost of flu shots, that?s not always an option. Without insurance, you can still get a flu shot starting at $19.99, depending on where you go. Here are six stores that offer seasonal flu shots and how much the vaccine costs there.
Designation Of Health Care Surrogate For Minor
If the legal guardian of a child is unable to be present during the healthcare visit, guardians must complete a form to delegate care of their child to another adult.
UHealth Clinic at Walgreens is operated by the University of Miami Health System. The health care providers at UHealth Clinic at Walgreens are employed, contracted or affiliated with the University of Miami Health System or one of its subsidiaries. The health care providers are not employees, associates and/or agents of, or supervised by, Walgreen Co. or any Walgreens subsidiary or affiliated company. Licensed healthcare professionals treat patients 18 months and older and can prescribe medications when appropriate.
Please call 305-243-HELP if you have any problems, questions or comments.
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Free Flu Shots Available At Walgreens
This flu season, protecting your health with a flu shot is as close as your local neighborhood Walgreens! VA and Walgreens care about your health and are partnering to offer enrolled Veteran patients easy access to flu shots.
No appointment is required. Veterans should inform the pharmacist they receive care at a VA facility and show their Veterans Identification Card or other photo identification. The Veteran’s health record will be updated electronically to include the immunization.
Flu shots are still available for free at your local VA health care facility, but with our Walgreens partners, you now have greater choices of time and location, all without having to complete any other VA forms or carry around paper records.**
I’ve Heard There Are Different Flu Vaccines Available Which One Is Right For Me
There are several different flu vaccines, and your pharmacist or other health care provider can help find the right vaccine for you. The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine each year. The CDC does not recommend one flu vaccine over another the most important thing is that you get a flu vaccine every year.
All flu vaccines are quadrivalent , meaning they are designed to protect against four different flu viruses. The flu shots are injections that are administered into your upper arm. The flu shots do not contain a live virus and are either inactivated or recombinant .
There is also a nasal spray. The nasal spray contains live-attenuated influenza virus and is quadrivalent. The nasal spray flu vaccine may be an option for healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49 years who aren’t pregnant or have a weakened immune system.
People who are 65 years and older have additional options. Older adults have the option of receiving either a high dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine. These flu shots are specifically formulated for seniors and in past studies, have demonstrated better protection against the flu in persons ages 65 and older.
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