Yearly flu shots

[macuu222]

Has anyone seen any local stores offering yearly flu vaccine and it's effectiveness? I believe it's that time of year again. Or is that not happening now with covid19 among us?

[ChunksterK]

FWIW, Kaiser hasn't announced exactly when or how they are doing it, but I spoke to them the other day, and they said they would be offering seasonal flu shots again this year.

[TomK]

I forget where I read the following, it was probably the CDC website, but yes, there will be 'flu shots available and it is recommended to get them, not least because you don't want the double whammy of getting the 'flu and COVID-19 at the same time. I'll double-check tomorrow, but went shopping at Safeway this evening (Sunday night) and there were signs for 'flu shots.

The site I went to also said that you should wait until September or October to get the 'flu shot. The reason being that it only really lasts for a few months, so if you get it too early then you are susceptible to getting the 'flu late in the season. Again, I'll double-check this.

[leilanidude]

The inter-island travel form asks if you have had a flu shot or not. If you answer YES, you are forced to give the date you got the shot. Since I didn't know (even which month) I gave up and declared NO even though I have had one.

[ChunksterK]

I was in Safeway today at 11 a.m., and they had a nice nurse ready to give flu shots to people with "most insurance."

[macuu222]

I was at Longs in Keaau today and asked about a flu shot. The cashier said they would be starting them next month. Safeway doesn't like our out of state health insurance...Longs does. So I guess we'll wait until September.

[kalakoa]

If the flu shot is "important" you could always "pay cash"...

[TomK]

kalakoa - I've no idea what you are trying to say.

Everyone else - I found the page I saw a few days ago and it is from the CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-s...0-2021.htm

"Getting vaccinated in July or August is too early, especially for older people, because of the likelihood of reduced protection against flu infection later in the flu season. September and October are good times to get vaccinated. However, as long as flu viruses are circulating, vaccination should continue, even in January or later.

[kalakoa]

I'm saying don't make health decisions based on what the insurance will or won't cover. Especially for something as minor as a flu shot.

[Obie]

Guess I'm the only one here old enough to be on Medicare, mine are free. Before that my insurance covered it.