What Should You Do If You Are Unsure Whether Youve Got Flu Or Covid
If you are unwell with cold and flu like symptoms, try to stay at home if you can, until you are better to stop passing it on to others. Some COVID-19 and flu symptoms overlap, so get a PCR test, if you experience:
- a high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
If you have any of the above symptoms, stay at home until you receive your result. If your PCR test result is negative but you still have symptoms, you should avoid mixing with others until you feel well.
Do People Get Tested For Flu In The Uk
Flu is usually diagnosed on clinical signs and symptoms rather than tests. These symptoms can include fever, cough, runny/blocked nose, sore throat, tummy or intestinal symptoms , and generalised symptoms . Flu symptoms can come on quickly.
Flu testing is mainly done as part of clinical care for inpatients, A& E patients or people with risk factors such as severely impaired immune systems. For suspected care home influenza outbreaks, testing can be done in regional public health laboratories.
Vaccine Data Resolution Service
We have set up a Vaccine Data Resolution Service to rectify data quality issues identified within the COVID-19 vaccination records for people vaccinated as part of the Vaccination Programme. This involves adding missing vaccination records, amending or deleting incorrect records.
One part of the service is accessed by people calling 119 if they suspect that their vaccination records are incorrect. The VDRS call handlers check the callers personal details against the Personal Demographics Service then ask for details of vaccinations given or errors. When the resolution has been established the call-handler makes appropriate updates are in the Immunisation Management System .
Another part of the service involves searching for incorrect records, for example where there is a second vaccination recorded without the first. When we find incorrect records like this, our VDRS team call people on the phone number registered with their GP to ask them if they would like the record to be corrected. If they agree and the correct information is established, the IMS records are updated.
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How Much Is A Minuteclinic Visit For Flu Shots At 14330 Culver Drive Irvine Ca With And Without Insurance
Flu Shots at MinuteClinic typically costs $50-$74, while all MinuteClinic® prices in Irvine range anywhere from $35 to $250 depending on the service. Please visit our service price list and insurance information page to see detailed pricing and insurance breakdowns. At CVS MinuteClinic®, most insurance plans are accepted. We recommend contacting your insurance company prior to your visit to be sure that the service you are seeking will be covered. How much you will have to pay out of pocket will depend on your insurance coverage. If you do not have insurance or prefer to pay out of pocket, you may pay with cash, card, or check. Prices may vary depending on the complexity of the case. Lab tests and additional services may result in additional charges.
Cant make it in for a visit? We also have Video Visits, which enable you to see one of our health care professionals from the comfort of your own home as an alternative for just $59 per visit. Currently, a Video Visit is not covered by insurance and is not required to get treatment.
In Addition To Finding Drive

Getting vaccinated is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your family from the flu. But just as with COVID-19, you can take basic steps to further avoid picking up or passing germs to others. You can remember these as the 3Ws:
Wear a face mask.
Watch your distance.
Wash your hands often.
Though its possible to get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, we dont have a clear understanding of how both could affect a persons health. The combination of flu and coronavirus could prove to be very challenging for people with a higher risk of getting serious complications from respiratory illnesses. A bad flu season on top of COVID-19 could also impact our available healthcare resources and increase the number of people who get sick and die. Make plans to get your flu shot and spread the word.
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Concerns About Access To Flu Shots During Pandemic
Dr. Lisa Barrett, an infectious disease expert, told CBC Nova Scotia News at 6 that there are cases around the world where people have had the flu and COVID at the same time.
“Two respiratory viruses that can cause a significant amount of damage in the lung is a bad thing,” she said, adding that it has shown “very poor outcomes” for people, including death.
Barrett said this is also another way for people to help in the fight against COVID-19.
” hugely, hugely important in how we’re going to manage our ICUs and hospitals as we go into flu season,” Barrett said.
What Flu Vaccines Are Available In The Uk
There are several types of flu vaccine. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation reviews the latest evidence on influenza vaccines every year and recommends the type of vaccine to be offered to patients. Recommended vaccines vary according to age. You will be offered one that is most effective for you.
- children aged 2 to 17 years old are offered a quick and painless nasal spray vaccine.
- adults aged 18 to 64 at greater risk from flu there are different types including low egg and egg free vaccines.
- adults aged 65 years and over are usually offered a vaccine that contains an adjuvant that helps the immune system create a stronger response to the vaccine. It is offered to people in this age group because their immune systems tend to respond less well to vaccines.
Some children cannot have the nasal spray so they will be offered an injected vaccine instead. And children under the age of 2 years who are in a high-risk group for flu will also be offered an injected flu vaccine as the nasal spray is not licensed for children under 2 years old.
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These Retailers Are Offering Coupons And Discounts To Anyone Getting Their Flu Shot This Fall
The focus this year has been on getting your COVID-19 vaccine, but getting a flu shot is still important! As we head into fall and winter, it’s crucial to get a flu shot to protect yourself and others and to avoid putting more strain on the still-overburdened healthcare system. Experts recommend getting the flu shot as early as September, before flu season really kicks into high gear, though when it comes to the flu vaccine, it’s better late than never. No matter what your schedule looks like, there are plenty of stores and pharmacies offering free, walk-in flu shots this year.
If you’d rather not head to a doctor’s office for your flu shot or you just want the convenience of getting one while you’re out running errands these clinics offer quick and easy vaccinations. Plus, they even have some incentives for customers who get a flu shot at their locations! Stop by one of these retail locations and take advantage of their convenient flu shots and helpful discounts.
People At High Risk Of Complications From The Flu
- people with health conditions, such as:
- cancer and other immune compromising conditions
- diabetes
- kidney disease
- neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions
- children up to 18 years of age undergoing treatment for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid
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Who Can Have An Nhs Flu Vaccine From A Pharmacy
You can get a free NHS flu vaccine from a pharmacy if:
- you are 50 and over
- you have certain medical conditions
- you are pregnant
- you are a frontline adult social care worker who cannot get a vaccination from your employer
The pharmacy will tell you how and when you can book your vaccination.
What Can I Expect When Getting A Flu Shot At Minuteclinic In Canton Mi
Our staff is trained to help you understand risks of the flu as well as administer the flu vaccine. During your visit, you will also learn about ways to help prevent the flu this season. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention advises that people six months of age or older be vaccinated against influenza annually. Since youre likely to fall into that criteria, you can just stop by the MinuteClinic at 45300 Cherry Hill Road and get your flu shot at your convenience while picking up your prescriptions or same-day photo order!
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How Effective Is The Vaccine
The flu vaccine is usually 40 to 60 percent effective, says the CDC, although this depends on how well it matches the virus strains circulating in any given season. Because the influenza virus mutates, these strains change every year. We wont know how effective this years vaccine is until were further into flu season.
Even if you do get sick, though, the vaccine helps ensure you wont get severely ill. Which makes it less likely youll be one of the 140,000 to 810,000 people hospitalized by the flu every year, or one of the 12,000 to 61,000 who die.
Walgreens Offers Scheduled And Walk

You can schedule an appointment online with any Walgreens Pharmacy. Scheduling an appointment will let you answer screener questions and enter your insurance or GoodRx coupon info, so you can be in and out even faster. You can also schedule a vaccine appointment or 1-800-WALGREENS . If you decide you would rather get your flu vaccine while youre already out of the house, walk-ins are welcome. Find your nearest Walgreens, or visit the Walgreens flu page for more information.
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Win A $200 Travel Voucher
Get your shot at Terminal 2 at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport between October 8 and December 29 and enter for a chance to win a $200 travel voucher through Sun Country Airlines! A new winner will be announced each week for twelve consecutive weeks. Undrawn entries do not rollover into subsequent weeks.
The Centers for Disease Control has approved booster shots for 16-17 year olds.
Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health is now offering booster shots for anyone 16 years and older who received their second dose at least 6 months ago.
Ramsey County offers Pfizer and Moderna booster shots at our clinics, by appointment only. COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are currently available for anyone 16 years and older who received their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago or Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.
Why do I need a booster shot?
- COVID-19 vaccines are very effective, but new data shows protection may decrease over time. This is normal and expected.
- Booster shots are common for many vaccines, like the flu shot or Tdap .
Cdc Recommendations For The Flu Shot
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The CDC recommends that everyone age six months and older gets a flu vaccine. This includes pregnant, elderly, and immunocompromised people.
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Your flu shot doesnt just increase the odds that you stay well. Like the COVID-19 vaccine, being vaccinated against the flu reduces your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, or death.
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Getting vaccinated can also reduce the risk for those around you and in your community, especially for young children that cant yet be vaccinated, older people, and people with some chronic illnesses.
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There are several types of flu shots to fit your needs. Some provide more protection for people age 65 and older, and there are egg-free versions for people with allergies.
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You can even avoid a needle altogether by getting the vaccine as a nasal spray. Keep in mind that there are more restrictions and side effects with the nasal spray, and it may be harder to find.
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Children younger than fiveespecially those younger than twoare at high risk for complications from the flu.
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Parents and caregivers need a flu shot to help protect high-risk children and infants who are too young to receive the vaccine.
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Fever, coughing, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue are all common symptoms of the flu. Sneezing, sore throat, and a stuffy nose without fever are commonly associated with a cold.
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Getting the flu can cause you to miss work, school, and social plans for up to two weeks.
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Sending Invitations For Vaccination
The list of people to be invited to book an appointment is sent to an automated mailing service. The mailing service prints and sends invitation letters, which explain how to book an appointment for vaccination either for flu or COVID-19.
We also send messages by SMS text messages and email using mobile phone numbers and addresses that are held on the Personal Demographics Service. We send invite notifications to people who have registered on the NHS App and have opted into push notifications.
The Immunisation Management System keeps a record of everyone who has been invited for vaccination. NHS England uses this information to send reminders to people by the methods described above, if they have been invited to attend for vaccination and have not been vaccinated. We may also send reminders to people who have been invited for COVID-19 vaccination and have not booked an appointment through the National Booking System.
Can I Still Get The Flu If I’ve Been Vaccinated
Yes. Those who have been vaccinated may still get the flu.
This can be caused by one or more of the following:
- Exposure to the virus before vaccination
- Exposure to the virus during the two-week period after receiving vaccination, or before immunity develops.
- Exposure to flu strains that may be circulating and are not included in the flu vaccine.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration reviews the flu data and determines the combination of viruses most likely to prevent the flu each year. Despite the amount of research that goes into the flu vaccine composition, the virus is constantly changing. Therefore, the vaccine may not be a perfect match to the current circulating virus. The good news is, those who have been vaccinated generally have a milder case of flu than those who are unvaccinated.
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Who Shouldnt Get Vaccinated
If youre currently feeling sick, its best to wait until youre better.
Avoid the flu shot if you have a severe allergy to any of the ingredients that may be used in the vaccine, such as:
- egg protein
- monosodium glutamate , a stabilizer that keeps vaccines from losing their potency
- antibiotics, such as neomycin and gentamicin
- polysorbate 80, an emulsifier which keeps the ingredients from separating
- formaldehyde, which inactivates the flu virus
Babies under 6 months old shouldnt be vaccinated.
If youve had Guillain-Barré syndrome, talk to your doctor before getting the flu vaccine.
The nasal spray contains a weakened live virus. It shouldnt be taken by people who:
- are younger than 2 or older than 50 years
- are 2 to 4 years old and have asthma
- are 2 to 17 years old and take medications containing aspirin or salicylate
- are pregnant
- have life threatening allergies to the flu vaccine
- have a suppressed immune system
- are in close contact with someone with a suppressed immune system
- have taken antiviral drugs for the flu within the previous 48 hours
Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of the nasal spray vaccine if you have:
- asthma or chronic lung disease
- a blood disorder
What Can You Do To Protect Yourself And Others
The best way to protect yourself and others is to get vaccinated, ideally in the autumn or early winter before flu starts spreading. It is also important to stick to good habits, like wearing masks in crowded spaces and regularly washing your hands.
If you do get ill, you need to avoid mixing with others to stop passing it on. Stay hydrated, stay warm, and call 111 if you are concerned, especially if you have underlying health conditions, are pregnant or are 65 years old and over.
Taking measures such as staying at home if possible while unwell can reduce the spread of infection. There are some settings, for example care homes, where staff will need to stay off work if they are symptomatic in a flu outbreak and residents will be asked to isolate if they test positive for flu, as set out in guidance published by the UKHSA.
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Considerations For Getting A Covid
Its safe for your health care provider to administer a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines. If youre 12 years of age or older, you may get the flu shot at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine. You may also get it any time before or after you receive the flu shot.
For children aged 5 to 11, the National Advisory Council on Immunization recommends a 14-day interval between a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines. This is to help better monitor for possible side effects from COVID-19 vaccines. Provinces and territories will decide on an interval for this age group as part of their vaccination programs.
Talk to a health care provider or consult your provincial or territorial public health authority for the latest guidance.
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