Protection From The Flu
The seasonal flu vaccine is available at no cost to Aetna members who have benefits that cover preventive services.
The vaccine is available for adults and for children 6 months and older. Children aged 6 months through age 8 who have never had the vaccine or have only had one dose in their lifetimes should have two doses of the flu vaccine, with at least four weeks between doses.
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.
Getting A Flu Shot At Target
This year the flu and Covid-19 are circulating simultaneously, which makes the flu shot even more imperative.
Influenza is a respiratory virus, like Covid-19, says Beth Oller, MD, a practicing family physician in Stockton, Kansas. We need to do everything we can this year to minimize having outbreaks of both viruses occurring at the same time. If your immune system is already under stress from one virus, you may be more susceptible to the other virus. This could potentially produce a more severe infection, she adds.
Your best protection right now is to get a flu shot as soon as you can. Flu season is underway, though there are still several months ahead. Target, through CVS and MinuteClinic, is offering flu shots in a store-within-a-store format in all Target locations where pharmacy and clinic services are available.
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Looking For Flu Shot Deals Read This
I called each chain to confirm their flu shot deals and prices.
For the latest information,
No matter what the quoted price is, you should always ask the pharmacy about any qualifying coupons before you pay for your flu shot. Whether the pharmacy supplies you with a coupon or not, the price may not be able to beat this GoodRx coupon.
Now lets look at what these major chains say youll pay for a flu shot at their pharmacies.
Flu Shots Now Available At Cvs Pharmacy And Minuteclinic
Nearly three quarters of Americans say they plan to get a flu shot this year, with 45 percent planning on getting their vaccine at a retail pharmacy
WOONSOCKET, R.I. 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 Flu Intention Survey, commissioned by CVS Health in June 2021 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 doctors 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.
Video and photo assets from MinuteClinic and CVS Pharmacy are available in the CVS Health Media Gallery.
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Military Hospital Or Clinic
- Active duty service members have priority
- If not available stateside at your military hospital or clinic, you can seek the flu vaccine at a participating network provider or TRICARE-authorized providerAn authorized provider is any individual, institution/organization, or supplier that is licensed by a state, accredited by national organization, or meets other standards of the medical community, and is certified to provide benefits under TRICARE. There are two types of TRICARE-authorized providers: Network and Non-Network. DS.
- If not available overseas at your military hospital or clinic, you can seek the flu vaccine by:
- If you’re an active duty service member, you need to follow your unit chain of command and service guidance for recording the vaccine in your service medical record
Changes Made To The Program
Québec immunization experts analyzed data from recent studies conducted in Québec, among others, on the number of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. Current data on vaccine efficacy and the possible impact of repeated vaccination were also considered. Based on their analyses, the experts concluded that the following 2 groups do not have a higher risk of flu-related hospitalization and death than the rest of Québecs healthy population:
- healthy children aged 6 to 23 months
- healthy people aged 60 to 74.
Until now, these people were considered to be at higher risk, whereas their risk is comparable to the rest of Québecs healthy population. Only people in these 2 groups who have certain chronic diseases are at higher risk of serious complications.
The recommendation to vaccinate healthy children aged 6 to 23 months was based on hospitalization data from a particularly severe season. Excluding chronically ill children from the number of hospitalizations, the data show that very few children in this age group were hospitalized for the flu and that death occurred only in exceptional cases. Moreover, only 1 in 5 children was given the flu vaccine, which suggests that flu vaccination is not widely accepted by parents or health professionals, not to mention the fact that several countries do not recommend vaccination in this age group.
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How Much Do Flu Shots Cost At Pharmacies
If youre paying out of pocket, you may want to visit a pharmacy to get your flu vaccine. Many offer appointments or walk-in flu-vaccine clinics. Heres a sample of various flu vaccines and their prices at four common pharmacies. Prices and vaccine offerings may vary by location:
| Pharmacy |
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| Pricing reflects Costco Member Prescription Program Discount Card, which may vary by location. |
Pricing reflects Costco Member Prescription Program Discount Card, which may vary by location.
If you must pay out of pocket for your flu vaccine, GoodRx may help you save money at participating pharmacies in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The GoodRx Flu Vaccine Program includes the vaccine administration fee, and prices are as low as $25 for those under age 65 and $62 for those over age 65.
Knowledge Attitudes And Beliefs
Most adults reported that they knew enough about vaccines to make a decision about getting vaccinated and considered vaccines to be important for their health .
While most of the respondents believed that the flu shot is safe , there were still 40% of respondents who believed they might get the flu from the flu vaccinewhich is not true for any flu shot in Canada. Moreover, 34% felt that the flu vaccine does not protect them against getting the flu.
About three quarters of respondents agreed that the opinion of their family doctor, general practitioner or nurse practitioner is an important part of their decision to get the flu shot.
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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 :
Why Our Free Flu Shots Actually Cost Us Down The Road
In the byzantine world of health-care pricing, most people wouldnt expect that the ubiquitous flu shot could be a prime example of how the systems lack of transparency can lead to disparate costs.
The Affordable Care Act requires health insurers to cover all federally recommended vaccines at no charge to patients, including flu immunizations. Although people with insurance pay nothing when they get their shot, many dont realize that their insurers foot the bill and that those companies will recoup their costs eventually.
In one small sample from one insurer, Kaiser Health News found dramatic differences among the costs for its own employees. At a Sacramento facility, the insurer paid $85, but just a little more than half that at a clinic in Long Beach. A drugstore in the District was paid $32.
The wide discrepancy in what insurers pay for the same flu shot illustrates what is wrong with Americas health system, said Glenn Melnick, a health economist at the University of Southern California.
There is always going to be some variance in prices, but $85 as a negotiated price sounds ridiculous, he said.
Flu shots are relatively cheap compared with most health services, but considering the tens of millions of Americans who get vaccinated each year, those prices add up.
Health plans pass those expenses to consumers through higher premiums, economists say.
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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.
Flu Vaccination Rates Among People Under 65 With One Or More Selected Chronic Conditions Remained Below The National Target
Another group at risk of complications from the flu are those under 65 with one or more selected chronic conditions, including: heart disease, effects of stroke, asthma, diabetes, cancer, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a high level of obesity .Note 7, Note 19
As with the senior population, the NACI also established a goal to vaccinate 80% of Canadians under 65 with selected chronic conditions.Note 18 Although, overall, Canadians with selected chronic conditions in 20132014 had a higher vaccination rate than those with no chronic conditions , they were still well below the NACI target .
There were notable regional differences in vaccination rates among those with one or more selected chronic conditions . The largest decrease was in Ontario where the proportion of those vaccinated dropped from 43% in 2003 to 34% in 20132014.
In contrast, increases over time in the vaccination rate among this at-risk group occurred in the Atlantic and Prairie provinces. The largest increase was 12 percentage points in the Atlantic provinces, where 43% were vaccinated in 20132014, up from 31% in 2003.
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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.
$5 Target Coupon With No
9/28/21
We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Target is offering a $5 off $2o Target coupon when you get a no-cost flu shot at the CVS pharmacy inside Target stores. You can protect yourself from the flu and get $5! You can use the store locator to find a participating CVS pharmacy near you. There is a limit of one coupon per customer visit. If you would like to schedule an appointment follow this link.
Flu shots are available at CVS Pharmacy, Longs Drugs and MinuteClinic locations when an immunizing pharmacist is on duty. This offer is good until 12/31/21. The coupon offer is not valid at pharmacy locations in AR, NJ and NY or at MinuteClinic locations in MA, NJ, NY, PA and RI.
Fine Print: Coupon is valid on Target merchandise only. To see the full list of exclusions, please read the back of your coupon.
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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.
Will A Flu Shot Prevent Covid
A flu shot wont protect you from contracting the coronavirus directly, but if youre protected from the flu and its complicationsincluding hospitalizationsyou may, in theory, protect yourself from being exposed to COVID-19 in a hospital or other medical setting.
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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.
Vaccine Uptake In Canadian Adults: Highlights From The 2020
The Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Coverage Survey collects information every year about the uptake of the flu shot in Canada. Each flu season, it estimates how many people get vaccinated as well as knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about the flu shot. Every two years, the survey also collects information about other recommended vaccines for adults: pertussis , tetanus, pneumococcal and shingles. The 2020-2021 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Coverage Survey took place between January 6 and February 11, 2021. With the current pandemic context, questions about the COVID-19 vaccine were also added to the survey this year.
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Can You Get The Covid & Flu Vaccine At The Same Time
Yes, there is no conflict between the COVID-19 and flu vaccines. You can get both within the same season, and even at the same time. There has even been discussion about combining the two vaccines together at some point.
And, yes, you can get infected with the flu and COVID-19 at the same time too. So, get both vaccines!
What Kind Of Flu Shot Should I Get
You should talk to your healthcare provider to find out what flu shot is best for you, as there are several types. According to the CDC:
- Standard flu shots are generally safe for healthy kids and adults.
- High-dose flu shots are recommended for people 65 years of age and older.
- Flu shots containing adjuvant are designed for patients 65 years of age and older.
- Flu shots made with cell cultures are safe for patients with egg allergies.
- You can also get a flu vaccine via a nasal spray instead of a traditional flu shot.
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