Urgent Care Occupational Health Pay Online Reserve Your Time Blog CARE YOU CAN COUNT ON RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER Flu Shot FAQ September 7, 2021 The flu shot is a seasonal vaccine that protects against the 3 or 4 influenza viruses that will be most common during the upcoming flu season. In the United States, flu season can begin as early as October and as late as May. An annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu by reducing the chances that you will get it and spread it to others. How does it work? The vaccine causes antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination, and these antibodies provide protection against the flu. Can I get the flu from the flu shot? You cannot get the flu from a flu shot. This is a common misconception. Nonetheless, a vaccine, like any medicine, may cause serious problems, such as allergic reactions, on rare occasions. Almost all people who get the flu vaccine do not have any major problems as a result. However, there is a possibility that you could experience minor side effects such as a low-grade fever, body aches, or soreness at the site of the shot. If experienced at all, these side effects are usually mild and last only 1-2 days. At Physicians Immediate Care we only carry the preservative-free, egg-free Flucelvax vaccine. When should I get it? You should get your flu shot before the flu begins to spread. It takes around two weeks for the flu vaccine to provide full protection, so the sooner you get the shot, the more likely that you will be fully protected once flu season starts. You need to get a flu vaccine every year to most effectively protect yourself against the viruses. This is because flu viruses are constantly changing and flu vaccines are updated each season to protect against the viruses research suggests are likely to be most common that particular season. Furthermore, annual vaccination is recommended because a person’s immune protection from the vaccine declines over time. Who should get it? The CDC recommends that everyone six months of age and older get the annual flu vaccine. Older people, young children, pregnant women, and people with medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease are at especially high risk from the flu. It is especially important for them to get vaccinated. Click here to learn more about preventing the flu this season. Flu shots are available at Physicians Immediate Care beginning September 1, 2021. Our flu shots have a $0 co-pay with most insurance plans. No Insurance? No problem. We offer a self-pay rate of $45.00 that must be paid in full at time of service. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Influenza (Flu),” https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm Mayo Clinic, “Flu shot: Your best bet for avoiding influenza,” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/in-depth/flu-shots/art-20048000 Clinics Near You Information About Us For Patients Pay Online Locations Illinois Social © 2021 Physicians Immediate Care• Privacy Policy • Terms of Use • Site Map