Minute Clinic Free Flu Shot

Unm Offers Free Flu Shots For The 2021

Mayo Clinic Minute: Flu shot selfie to save lives

Categories:Lobo Hub Health Sciences Center Student Health and Counseling

The University of New Mexico is once again offering free flu shots in an effort to promote health and wellness this flu season.

Shots will be provided at a variety of drive-thru clinics in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho for anyone 6 months or older. The clinics will be offered from Sept. 25 through Oct. 30. Upon arrival at the vaccination site, patients should have their medical ID card, a mask, and a short-sleeved shirt.

For added convenience, several flu shot clinics will be held at various campus locations including:

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Domenici Building
Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 5 & 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Student Health and Counseling Plaza, south side of building
Tuesday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hokona Hall Ballroom
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lobo Rainforest
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lobo Village

To view all times and locations, visit UNM Health’s public clinic schedule.

Each year, flu viruses are constantly changing. For the 2020-2021 flu season, the influenza vaccine was to better fight the virus. Out of caution, the flu vaccine will be administered at least 14 days before or after someone receives a COVID-19 vaccine.

Additional resources:

What Is A Flu Shot

Flu vaccines help your body fight off influenza viruses. Many viruses can cause flu. Flu vaccines are reviewed yearly to be sure the one you receive targets the most common flu viruses.

A flu vaccine can be given through a shot or nasal spray. A shot is recommended for most people. Talk with a healthcare provider to decide whats best for you.

A vaccine cannot guarantee you wont get the flu, but it will make any flu sickness much milder.

If I Get The Flu Shot Does That Mean I Will Not Get The Flu

No. The flu shot is not 100 percent effective, but it does greatly lower your risk of getting the flu. There are many different types of the flu virus, and the shot doesn’t protect you against all of them. Each year, the World Health Organization identifies three or four types most likely to be spread for that year’s flu season to include in the flu shot.

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Is The Flu Shot Free Or Will I Have To Pay

The flu shot is publicly funded and free for those who are eligible. The full list of eligible individuals is available online here but includes:

Anyone at high risk of serious illness such as children, pregnant women, seniors over the age of 65, residents in care homes, etc.

People able to transmit or spread influenza to those who are high risk such as household contacts of high-risk individuals or care workers.

Essential workers such as police officers, firefighters, paramedics and corrections workers.

To find out if you are eligible, talk to your healthcare provider to call HealthLink B.C. at 811.

If you are not eligible for a free vaccine, it can be purchased at most pharmacies and travel clinics. Some employers also provide the vaccine free to employees and may set up a flu clinic.

What Are The Side Effects Of A Flu Shot

Flu Vaccine Assistance to 38 States and Expanding

It’s important to know that the flu vaccine cannot cause influenza.

Although, mild side effects are possible. They include fever, headaches and tenderness in the arm where the shot was given. Serious side effects are rare.

Any vaccine carries a very small risk of severe allergic reaction. Go to the ER if you experience difficulty breathing, dizziness, a fast heartbeat or swelling in the face.

If its flu season, find the nearest CareNow® urgent care clinic to get a flu shot.

Our CareNow® urgent care clinics are open seven days a week and welcome walk-in patients.

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Mommy Minute: Cvs Minuteclinic Says Family Flu Shots Are Especially Important This Year

The CVS MinuteClinic is reminding people that now is the time to be thinking about this years flu shot.

Ideally, experts say you should get your shot before October 1, but no later than October 31. They say it takes two to four weeks to build up antibodies after the shot. While flu season peaks in colder, winter months, it has been known to start as early as October.

Cvs Health Increases Access To Flu Vaccines In Communities Of Need

Thursday, December 10, 2020 WOONSOCKET, R.I. CVS Health today announced it is supporting a nearly $3 million commitment to increasing access to flu vaccines for underserved communities throughout the country. Through its Project Health initiative, CVS Health is contributing $2 million to the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics to help distribute flu vaccines to those who may otherwise not have access. Additionally, the company is working with Bank of America and General Motors to support increased access to flu vaccines in even more communities nationwide.

Underserved communities have been hit particularly hard by COVID-19, so supporting flu prevention in these communities is even more important, said Eileen Howard Boone, SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy, CVS Health. Through our work with Free Clinics, and in teaming up with Bank of America and General Motors, we aim to expand our reach to individuals who may not otherwise have access to flu vaccines.

CVS Healths Project Health flu initiative will support free and charitable clinics in areas across the country, helping clinics increase capacity to provide flu vaccinations. Clinics in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas will receive support. These grants extend the mission of Project Health which aims to break down the barriers for people to access quality and affordable health care.

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The Flu Shot Won’t Protect You From Covid

The flu shot will protect you from influenza and help keep people out of the hospital. Remember, the flu vaccine still prevents and reduces the severity of the flu, even if it’s not a perfect match. Getting the flu shot could mean the difference between:

Staying at home to recover or going to the hospital for treatment
Taking a couple of sick days from work or missing several days

Getting your flu shot doesn’t mean that you won’t get sick at all:

If you get infected with the flu before your body has had a chance to build immunity, you will get the flu
The flu shot doesn’t protect you from COVID-19, the common cold or stomach illnesses

Getting the flu shot won’t increase your risk of COVID-19 illness.

Who Should Get A Flu Shot

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Healthcare providers recommend a yearly flu vaccine for anyone older than six months.

The flu vaccine is especially important for:

Adults 50 and older
Anyone with a weakened immune system
Residents of long-term care facilities
Anyone with a chronic health condition, such as asthma, heart disease or kidney disease
People who spend time with a person at risk for flu complications

The flu vaccine is not recommended for:

Infants younger than 6 months
Anyone who has had allergic reactions to past flu shots
Anyone with allergies to eggs or other vaccine ingredients
Anyone who currently has a fever
Anyone who has had Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare condition in which your body’s immune system attacks your nerves

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Flu Shots Are Free And Recommended For The Following People At Risk

People 6 months of age and older living withcertain chronic diseases, such as diabetes, weakened immune systems, diseases of the heart, lung, liver, kidney, blood, etc.
Pregnant women with certain chronic diseases during pregnancy and those who are healthy during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy
People aged 75 or older
Family members living in the same household as a child under 6 months of age or someone at high risk ofhospitalization or death
Caregivers of someone at risk
Health care workers, particularly those who provide direct patient care.

For the 2021-2022 season, children between the ages of 6 and 23 months and healthy people between the ages of 60 and 74 who would like to receive the flu vaccine will have free access.

Measles Mumps & Rubella

Measles, mumps, and rubella are infections that can lead to significant illness. More than 95% of children receiving the MMR vaccine will be protected from the three diseases throughout their lives.

All children should get the first dose of MMR vaccine at age 12 to 15 months and second dose at age 4 to 6 years.
All adults with no evidence of immunity should get 1 dose the MMR vaccine and 2 doses if in the high-risk group.

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When To Get The Flu Shot

Most people contract the influenza virus during flu season,’ which typically lasts from October through March, with most of cases peaking in January. The flu poses risks to people of various ages, ranging from the very young, the very old, to those with compromised immune systems. Here are some things to remember before and after you have your flu shot:

It takes about 2 weeks for a person to build up immunity after receiving a flu shot . So, ideally, people should get the flu shot about 2 weeks before flu season begins.
Flu shots are usually only effective for about 6 months, after that it starts to weaken and a person could potentially get the flu even after receiving a flu shot.
So, despite the early aggressive marketing by retail pharmacies if it’s a long flu season and a person gets a flu shot in August, they would be protected until January.

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Can You Get A Flu Shot And Still Get The Flu?

This year, they say its key to get the shot to avoid overwhelming local hospitals that are already struggling with the Coronavirus pandemic.

Kids under five are especially vulnerable to flu, so its best that everyone in the household is vaccinated, even though last years flu season was generally mild.

We have really relaxed some of our measures here locallyfrom fatigue, said CVS Nurse Practitioner Jessica Myers. So I think it is more important to get one this year because were traveling out of the home more, traveling in general, visiting other families, schools are in-person full-time. I really think its more important to get a flu shot this year.

The CVS MinuteClinic can give a flu shot to anyone 18 months and older right in the pharmacy. Myers says its best to make it a family affair because kids tend to relax when they can watch their mom or dad get the shot first.

Flu Vaccine For Seniors

Adults 65 years of age and older are at high risk of flu complications.

Individuals 65 years of age and older are eligible to receive the Standard Dose Quadrivalent Inactivated Vaccine , the High-Dose Quadrivalent Inactivated Vaccine or the Adjuvanted Trivalent Inactivated Vaccine . Doctors’ offices and pharmacies will receive various flu vaccines. The most important thing is for you to be vaccinated. Don’t wait for a particular product. They all protect against flu.

Cvs Now Offering Flu Shots At Longs Drugs Pharmacies And Minuteclinics

CVS Health, owner of Longs Drugs in Hawaii, announced Wednesday that flu shots are now available at all pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations.

Walmart is also offering low-cost flu vaccinations at nine Walmart pharmacies through walk-up and community flu shot clinics.

Although the nation continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, both CVS and Walmart are reminding Americans of the importance of getting a flu shot this fall to protect themselves against seasonal flu.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people get vaccinated early in the fall before flu season begins ideally, no later than the end of October. Although flu seasons vary, the CDC said influenza activity in the U.S. often begins to increase in October, peaks between December and February, and can last as late as May.

The Hawaii Department of Health says due to the states high volume of tourism and tropical climate, flu here can spread year-round.

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 12 months, said Neela Montgomery, executive vice president, CVS Health, in a news release.

The flu shots are available at CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic in Longs Drugs stores, as well as at CVS Pharmacy in select Target stores. They will be available seven days a week, with expanded evening and weekend hours, according to CVS.

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Nearly Three Quarters Of Americans Say They Plan To Get A Flu Shot This Year 45% Planning On Getting Their Vaccine At A Retail Pharmacy

CVS Health is reminding Americans that as the country continues to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic it is more important than ever to stay current with vaccinations and other routine health care needs. By getting a flu shot this fall and taking other proactive measures to improve general health and immunity, individuals and families can protect themselves against seasonal flu and help safeguard the overall health of the community.

According to a survey commissioned by CVS Health and conducted among a general population of U.S. consumers, consumers’ intention to get vaccinated against seasonal flu increased five percentage points from June 2020 to June 2021, with 71 percent of those surveyed saying they definitely or likely will get a flu shot this season. In addition, 45 percent of consumers surveyed said they planned to get a flu shot at a retail pharmacy, the most preferred destination cited, followed by a doctor’s office .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that individuals make plans to get vaccinated early in the fall, before flu season begins, and ideally no later than the end of October.

Free Flu Shots Through Clinics Community Organizations And Public Health Departments

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Many health departments and free clinics offer low-cost or free flu shots across the U.S. Here are a few examples:

Most colleges offer free flu shots for their students. Check on your schools website to confirm.
Military veterans enrolled in health care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can get a flu shot at their nearest VA health care facility. This program does not apply to family members of veterans.
Many county health departments offer free, or discounted, flu vaccinations during flu season. Examples include:
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, in partnership with select LA County Libraries, will offer free flu shots through November.
The San Francisco Health Department offers convenient locations for members of the public to easily access free or low-cost flu vaccines.
The Houston Health Department offers flu shots to uninsured and underinsured people on a sliding scale that ranges from free to $15.

Cant find a location near you on this list? Watch for announcements on your local news station or in your local newspaper or search online for free flu shots in your area or through your citys health department.

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Where Can I Get A Flu Shot

At the University of Maryland Medical System, many of our hospitals offer free community flu shot clinics and/or partner with local organizations to help promote and support additional community flu vaccination efforts.

Visit the hospital sites below to see upcoming flu clinics in your community.

University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus

Your county Health Department maintains local resources about the flu. Please visit to find phone numbers and links to your local Health Department.

While UMMS clinics are free, flu shots also are typically available through primary care providers and local pharmacies, though they may have a cost associated with them.

Every Major Retailer Offering Free Flu Shots This Fall Because Yes It’s That Time Again

Here we go again: flu season arrives in October, and it’s crucial that you get the flu shot if you’re able to protect both yourself and those around you. Don’t put it off, either while it’s better late than never, experts recommend getting vaccinated before the season begins, since the vaccine takes about two weeks to take effect. Fortunately, it’s easy to get a flu shot, and at many places, it’s free!

Getting a flu shot doesn’t have to mean waiting for an appointment in congested waiting rooms at doctors’ offices or urgent care clinics. There are plenty of major retailers that have in-store pharmacies that take most major medical insurance plans, leaving you with peace of mind and without a hefty bill. Keep reading for a list of all the places you can find a free flu shot this year. Just remember to check on any age restrictions before you head out!

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Protect Yourself Protect Others

Get vaccinated against the flu. Everyone 6 months of age and older should be vaccinated. The circulating strains of flu are a good match with those included in this years vaccine.
If you are pregnant, you can and should receive the flu shot during any trimester. Pregnant women are at high risk of flu-related complications. If immunized during pregnancy, protective antibodies help protect your baby for up to 6 months after birth.

Now Is The Time To Get Your Flu Shot At Cvs Pharmacy And Minuteclinic

Its fall and with the cooler weather comes sporting events, apple picking and many fun fall activities.This time of year also marks the start of cold and flu season and with the ongoing pandemic its important to take steps to protect not only ourselves, but those around us.

The CDC recommends getting both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines and allows for both to be administered in the same visit. It also recommends that you get your annual flu shot before the end of October, so make an appointment now!

Scheduling your flu vaccine is fast and easy. You can make a vaccination appointment at CVS Pharmacy by visiting CVS.com, through the CVS app, or by texting FLU to 287898. You can also schedule an appointment with a MinuteClinic provider at MinuteClinic.com or schedule a walk-in appointment at your nearest clinic using the kiosk.