Flu (influenza) is one of the causes of early childhood mortality.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the flu virus accounts for 290,000 – 650,000 deaths annually.
99% of the mortality rate is among children under five years old.
While babies and infants bear the brunt of flu infection, the virus causes thousands of hospitalizations among the adult population, too. Symptoms are notably severe for individuals with compromised immunity, such as pregnant women and the chronically ill.
Moreover, many who don’t end up in hospital beds still report diminished productivity during the flu season. Implementing proactive measures is the surest way to combat this viral infection.
Fortunately, you can manage influenza effectively via timely vaccinations.
Read below as we unpack the various places to get your annual flu shot and what a typical procedure entails.
Places To Get Annual Flu Shots
Urgent care clinics are one of the best places if you’re searching where to get your annual flu shot.
Urgent care centers offer swift services. They also typically work longer than most healthcare providers, catering to late-evening and weekend clients.
Besides, you don’t require an appointment. Simply contact the facility beforehand to establish their availability.
You may also get flu vaccines from primary care providers. These facilities offer personalized care and improve patient outcomes.
Other places to get a flu jab include;
- Community health centers
- Certain retail pharmacies, such as Walgreens and Safeway
- Major airports
- Certain workplaces, particularly larger corporations
What to Expect During Routine Flu Jabs
- Identifying a Healthcare Provider
Healthcare centers should be your first port of call when seeking to get a flu jab.
As noted, you can procure the vaccine in primary healthcare clinics or urgent care providers. Some emergency care centers also offer flu shots, especially for critical cases.
Choose a reputable facility with impressive client ratings. For easy accessibility, insist on a local clinic.
Even better if your preferred healthcare provider is open 24/7, this helps streamline scheduling, allowing you to check into the facility at your convenience.
- Planning Your Trip
The best time to plan a flu vaccine is September or October. Therefore, designate a day within this period to visit your healthcare provider.
Note that clinics are usually very busy ahead of the flu peak season.
To save time, consider booking an appointment.
- Carrying Important Supplies
To avail flu vaccination, you’ll require your identification documents. Carry your state-issued ID cards to avoid undue inconveniences.
Be sure to also carry your health insurance card. However, establish that a facility accepts your insurance before visiting it.
Some clinics may require you to fill out a consent form, too. Check if you can complete this document online.
If you’re severely ill, you may end up being hospitalized. Assess your condition to determine if you should carry personal items like clothing and toiletries.
- Checking Into the Facility
After getting to a healthcare center, you’ll start with registration.
You’ll then go through the facility’s triaging system to assess the severity of your condition.
Flu vaccination is typically an outpatient service. Unless you have severe symptoms, you’ll need to wait in the outpatient queue.
- Waiting in Line
How long it takes to get a flu vaccine after arriving at a clinic will vary by the date of visit, time of day, and the facility’s venue.
Save time by getting vaccinated in early September. Alternatively, visit the clinic during off-peak hours like early mornings or late evenings.
And as noted, prioritize nearby clinics. This reduces travel time, enabling you to reach the facility before other patients start arriving.
Better yet, you can minimize wait times by booking appointments.
- Consultations
Before getting a flu jab, a healthcare professional will take you through a brief consultation. The clinician will review your medical history, with a focus on allergies.
Remember to indicate whether you have experienced hypersensitive reactions to previous flu shots.
If everything looks great, the healthcare professional will outline expectations. That entails the benefits of getting a flu shot, common adverse effects, and potential complications based on your medical history.
- Receiving the Vaccine
Getting a flu shot is quick and easy. A healthcare professional will ask you to roll back your sleeves to reveal the upper arm, the typical spot for the injection.
Expect minimal discomfort as the vaccine enters your bloodstream.
If you’re visibly anxious about pain, the provider may administer relaxation techniques or apply a numbing spray before giving the injection.
- Post-injection Monitoring
After receiving the flu vaccine, your healthcare provider may ask you to stay in the waiting lounge for up to 30 minutes. This helps assess you for severe adverse effects.
You can expect mild, short-lived soreness at the injection site. Many people also experience a slight fever.
Fortunately, these adverse effects are easily manageable with ample rest and applying cool presses.
Notify your healthcare provider immediately if you experience severe side effects, such as dizziness or an aggressive rash.
The Bottom Line
Vaccination provides the first (and most reliable) line of defense against the flu virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found annual flu shots to be incredibly effective, particularly if administered ahead of the peak influenza season.
If you missed the vaccination window for some reason, be sure to schedule it at your earliest convenience. It’s safer to get the shot later than go through the flu season unvaccinated.
And if you’re already infected with the flu, practice doctor-recommended tips to contain the virus. Those include getting ample rest, rehydrating, frequent hand-washing, covering coughs & sneezes, and administering the prescribed meds.
Don’t hesitate to contact a doctor if symptoms persist beyond ten days.
