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.
Who Can Get The Flu Vaccine For Free
The flu vaccine is free for New Zealanders who are:
- 65 years and over
- pregnant women
- under 65 who have certain medical conditions
- children aged 4 years or under who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness or have a history of significant respiratory illness.
Check with your doctor to find out if you qualify for a free flu vaccine. Read more about eligibility.
A Flu Vaccine Is The Best Prevention
Flu seasons and their severity are unpredictable. Annual vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza in people ages 6 months and older.
An annual vaccination to prevent flu is the best way to reduce the risk of getting the flu and spreading it to others. When more people get vaccinated, it is less likely that the flu viruses will spread through a community.
The vaccine typically changes each year and contains the four flu virus strains that are expected to circulate in the U.S. during the upcoming flu season. The effectiveness of influenza vaccines varies depending on several factors, such as the age and health of the recipient, the types of circulating influenza viruses, and the degree of similarity between circulating viruses and those included in the vaccine.
The task of producing a new vaccine for the next flu season starts well before the current season ends. For the FDA, its a year-round initiative.
The flu vaccine will trigger your immune system to produce antibodies to protect against influenza disease it will not make you sick with the flu. It can take about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body, which is an important reason to get your flu vaccine early, before flu activity starts.
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Preparing For The Second Wave
It takes two weeks for the flu shot to actually work, so its important to get the influenza vaccine before flu season begins, LaSalle said. However, if you have not received your flu shot yet, it is never too late. As long as there is circulating flu in the community, it is recommended to get the flu shot.
This is important to know because the flu usually comes in two waves the fall and then the spring.
There are typically two types of influenza circulating, types A and B, LaSalle explained. Type A more commonly circulates in the fall and winter, and type B more commonly in the spring. However this year, we are seeing both types circulating together.
Why We Need New Flu Vaccines Every Year
There are several reasons a new flu vaccine must be made each year.
Flu viruses can change from year to year, so the vaccine is updated to protect against new virus strains that are expected to circulate in the U.S. The vaccine needs to include influenza virus strains that most closely match those in circulation for the influenza season. In addition, the protection provided by the flu vaccine a person received in the previous year will diminish over time and may be too low to prevent influenza disease into next years flu season.
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Who Should Get Immunised 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 immunised.
The Australian Immunisation Handbook includes more information about specific groups who should get immunised 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
- People aged 6 months or over who have medical conditions that mean they have a higher risk of getting serious disease
- Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
- People aged 65 years or over.
All other individuals not included in the categories above can purchase the vaccine from their immunisation provider.
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.
As the influenza vaccine only contains minute traces of egg protein, people with egg allergy, including a history of anaphylaxis, can be safely vaccinated with influenza vaccines. If you have an egg allergy please discuss this with your immunisation provider.
Can I Get A Flu Shot While Sick
Michael Menna, DO, is a board-certified, active attending emergency medicine physician at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York.
Getting a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself against influenza A and B. Those are the viruses that cause seasonal flu.
But if you’re sick when your appointment rolls around, ask your provider whether you should postpone the shot until you’re feeling better.
If you have just a minor illness like a cold, you can still get a flu vaccine. If you’re sicker or have a fever, your healthcare provider will likely recommend waiting.
This article explains the potential problems of getting a flu shot when you’re sick, when it’s best to get the vaccine, and why some people should avoid it entirely.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Vaccines trigger an immune response in your body. Here’s how it works:
- The vaccine “shows” your immune system the virus.
- Your immune system makes antibodies, which are proteins that target and inactivate the virus.
- Then your body can respond faster when you’re exposed to the flu virus in the future.
- That quick response can keep you from getting sick.
If you’re sick when you get the vaccine, your immune system is already hard at work fighting the other illness. That means it may not have the resources to develop flu antibodies at the same time. So the vaccine may be less effective at preventing the flu.
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Why Get The Flu Vaccine
If you’ve ever had the flu, you know how bad it can make you feel. To help skip all that misery as well as possible health problems from the flu doctors recommend that all teens get a flu vaccine every year.
There are other good reasons too:
- It’s extra important for people with some medical conditions to get a flu vaccine. They are more likely to have serious health problems when they get the flu.
- Kids and teens who take aspirin regularly also need the flu vaccine. They’re at risk for getting a serious condition called if they get the flu.
- Getting vaccinated protects the people around you. Because there’s less chance you’ll get the flu and pass it on, you help protect people who might get very ill from the flu like babies, people with serious medical conditions, and the elderly.
Can You Get The Covid
âAs per the CDC, there is no good evidence that acute illness makes a vaccine less effective or increases adverse effects,â says Dr. Robert Cole, MD, an intensive care medicine specialist in Camden, New Jersey, and author of How to Build a Smile. âHowever, as a precaution, the current recommendation is to delay vaccination if someone has any acute moderate or severe illness. In other words, if you have a mild cough, runny nose, or diarrhea, but are COVID negative, you can get the vaccine. Additionally, if you are taking antibiotics, you can also still get vaccinated safely.â
However, if you can wait to get vaccinated, you might want to do so. âIf you are sick, it would be best to wait to get the COVID vaccine until you are fully recuperated,â Dr. Soma Mandal, MD, a board-certified internist at Summit Medical Group in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, tells Bustle. âThis is because the COVID-19 vaccine can potentially cause body aches, fever, fatigue, headache, joint and muscle pain, which can make the symptoms of an existing upper respiratory infection worse.â Why pile on more feeling sick if you can avoid it?
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Where Can I Get Vaccinated
People eligible for a free flu vaccineEligible people can get a free vaccination from their family doctor/general practice. It is usually the practice nurse who gives the vaccine. Many community pharmacies provide free flu vaccinations to people aged 13 years and older and pregnant women . People who are not eligible to receive a free flu vaccineThe flu vaccination is available from:
- your family doctor/general practice
Can I Have The Flu Vaccine If I Have Latex Allergy
Fluad Quad, Afluria Quad and Afluria Quad Junior syringes do not have any components made using natural rubber latex.Influvac Tetra syringes do not contain any latex components. However, the manufacturer is unable to confirm that the product did not come in contact with any latex materials during the manufacturing and packaging process.If you are highly sensitive to latex and have had a severe allergic reaction to latex, tell your healthcare provider before getting the flu vaccine.
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When Is The Flu Vaccine Given
It is possible to come into contact with flu viruses all year round, but the chance of the flu virus circulating in the community is highest during winter. For most people, the best time to be vaccinated against the flu is just before the start of the winter season. In New Zealand, this is between April and June. It takes 2 weeks after vaccination for the vaccine to be fully effective. You may still get the flu in this time if you come into contact with the virus, so get it done early in time for winter.
Influenza Vaccine For 2021
| Flu vaccine for 2021 |
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine
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When Should You Get The Influenza Vaccine
Annual immunisation is recommended as the influenza virus is constantly changing, and the vaccine changes accordingly.
Getting vaccinated in autumn is recommended. This provides protection in time for the peak influenza season . However, it is never too late to vaccinate since influenza can circulate in the community all year round.
Influenza vaccines can be co-administered with a COVID-19 vaccine.
Where Can I Get Vaccinated Against The Flu
People eligible for a free flu vaccineEligible people can get a free vaccination from their family doctor/general practice. It is usually the practice nurse who gives the vaccine. Many community pharmacies provide free flu vaccinations to people aged 13 years and older and pregnant women . People who are not eligible to receive a free flu vaccineThe flu vaccination is available from:
- your family doctor/general practice
Please contact your healthcare provider about the cost of getting the flu vaccine.
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Allergic Reactions To The Flu Vaccine
It’s very rare for anyone to have a serious allergic reaction to the flu vaccine. If this does happen, it usually happens within minutes.
The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
Anyone can report a suspected side effect of a vaccine through the Yellow Card Scheme.
Flu Symptoms And Dangers
Recovering from coronavirus does not protect you from catching the flu. Even if you had a mild course of illness, remember that the flu and COVID-19 share some uncomfortable symptoms:
- Cough
In general, people who have a higher risk of serious complications from the flu include adults over the age of 65, pregnant women, very young children, and those with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, kidney diseaseand other chronic medical conditions, the CDC says.
People with a weakened immune system due to a diseasealso have a higher risk of more severe illness with the flu. As the pandemic unfolds, scientists have learned that COVID-19 can result in prolonged illness, even in young adults who were otherwise healthy.
Flu can spread before you have symptoms and for several days after you catch it. People with weakened immune systems who have the flu might be able to infect others for even more extended periods, the CDCadvises.
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Can I Have Flu And Covid
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Yes. It is possible to have flu, as well as other respiratory illnesses, and COVID-19 at the same time. Health experts are still studying how common this can be.
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Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Diagnostic testing can help determine if you are sick with flu or COVID-19.
Who Shouldn’t Get A Flu Shot
Some people shouldn’t get a flu shot, regardless of whether they’re sick at the time. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if any of these apply to you or your child:
- Being under 6 months of age
- Previous severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine
- If you’ve ever had Guillain-Barré syndrome
In these situations, talk to your healthcare provider about whether the flu vaccine is safe for you.
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Are There Risks To Getting A Flu Shot When Youre Sick
If you do get a flu shot when youre sick, dont worry you wont hurt yourself or make yourself sicker. However, its best to let your body focus on dealing with your existing illness.
The immune system is preoccupied with fighting off what youre already sick with, says Dr. Ford. And so you want your system in a prepared state. That way when you get the vaccine, you get a good response. And that bolsters your immunity to influenza that will hopefully last you through the whole flu season.
In a perfect world, getting a flu shot would ensure you stay healthy. But if you get sick a few days after getting a flu shot, will that hurt your chances of developing immunity for the season?
Thankfully, likely not. The immune response to any vaccination happens fairly quickly, typically within the first 24 to 48 hours, says Dr. Ford. So if you find yourself sick later on its a funny thing, because people always say, Well, I got sick from the flu shot. However, the illness was probably there to begin with, and you just hadnt started feeling symptoms. As long as your symptoms are minimal, your bodys going to have a great chance to mount the immunity.
Wait Can You Get A Flu Shot When Youre Sick An Expert Weighs In
Whether you made an appointment with your doctor or are just going to hit up your local pharmacy, it can feel so good to plan to get your annual flu shot. You’re being proactive about your healthgo you! What doesnt feel so hot? Feeling sick at the same time you planned to get your vaccine.
Now you probably have some questions about next steps. Namely, can you get a flu shot when youre sick?
TBH, even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention isnt a huge help here. This is what the organization currently says online about getting a flu shot when youre sick: If you are not feeling well, talk to your doctor about your symptoms.
The answer is a little more complicated than a blanket yes or no . But not all illnesses are the same, and doctors say youre likely just fine to get the flu shot under some circumstances, but not others. Then theres the global pandemic to consider, and the fact that maybe you shouldnt be out in public if you have certain symptoms.
Confused yet? The good news is that youll be able to get your flu shot at some point. You just may need to do a little due diligence first before you stick with your original plan. Read this before rescheduling your flu shot.
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