Finding a flu shot seems to get easier every year. If going to the trouble of making an appointment at your doctor’s office doesn’t appeal to you, consider one of the many alternative locations to get your flu shot.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the single best way to protect yourself from the flu is to get a flu shot. But does it matter where you go for your shot? For most people, the answer is no.
Traditionally, getting a flu shot meant paying for an appointment at your doctor’s office. Now, you can walk in to many pharmacies, or stores that contain pharmacies such as grocery stores and retail chains like Target or Walmart, and get a flu shot without an appointment.
That means your regular visit to the grocery store can fill your refrigerator and check your flu shot off your list of things to do, all in one quick trip.
Staff at all of these locations are required to follow standard protocols that include explaining risks, getting your signed agreement for the vaccine, and following sterile procedures to administer the shot. So for most people, getting a flu shot while out shopping is a good option.
But people who are at risk for a reaction to the flu vaccine should talk to their doctor before getting the flu shot. Talk to your physician first if any of these things are true for you:
• You are severely allergic to eggs.
• You had an allergic reaction to the flu shot in the past.
• You've ever had Guillain-Barré syndrome, which is a severe condition that causes paralysis.
• You don’t feel well.
If you have a mild allergy to eggs, the flu shot may be safe for you. That’s something your doctor or allergist will need to determine. If your allergy is severe, flu shots that are egg-free are available from your doctor.
While serious reactions to the flu vaccine are very rare, if you are at risk for one of these reactions, check with your doctor to find out if getting your flu shot at a retail store is a good option for you.
If fear of needles is holding you back from getting your flu shot, nasal flu vaccine may be an option for you.
The nasal spray version of the vaccine is available to people ages 2 to 49 years, who are in generally good health and who are not pregnant. Nasal flu vaccine is also available at some walk-in retail locations.
Talk to your doctor before getting the nasal vaccine, if any of these things is true for you:
• You have asthma.
• You have a chronic condition including lung disease, heart disease, metabolic disorders, or conditions affecting the kidneys, liver or neurological system.
• You've ever had Guillain-Barré syndrome.
• You received any other vaccine in the past four weeks.
• You are not feeling well.
The cost for a flu shot varies according to location and insurance plan. Some retail chains offer discounted flu shots during peak seasons. Some employers also offer free flu shots to their employees.
Many insurance companies cover the cost of flu shots as part of a preventative care plan. Check with your insurance provider to find out exactly what is covered by your policy.
The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months should be vaccinated against the flu. Flu season typically runs from about November through April. So get your flu shot as soon as the vaccine becomes available in the fall, to get the best protection as flu season begins.
Flu.gov offers an online Flu Vaccine Finder to help you find a flu shot location within your zip code.
If you have questions about the flu or which type of vaccination is right for you, talk to your health care provider.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine. Web. August 19, 2015.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccination: Who Should Do It, Who Should Not and Who Should Take Precautions. Web. August 19, 2015.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldvax.htm
Live Science. Grocery Store or Doctor’s Office: Does It Matter Where You Get Your Flu Shot? Maureen Salamon. Web. August 19, 2015.
http://www.livescience.com/17466-grocery-store-doctor-office-matter-flu-...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal Flu Shot. Web. August 19, 2015.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm
Reviewed August 20, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith