As you know, I’m a big advocate for getting the flu shot. As a former army medic, it was my job to make sure that my unit was vaccinated yearly and I also made sure that my own kids got the vaccination as well. Getting our annual vaccination is one of the ways that I protect my family from the flu, and we strive to get it before the end of October. Every year the vaccine is different and this summer we’ve all been on the alert with the Zika virus, don’t let the flu catch up with you. That’s why this year CVS Pharmacy, now open in Target stores, wants you to get your flu shot by making it really easy for you and with an incentive to boot. It is recommended that everyone age 6 months and older should get the flu vaccine and it’s very important that those at risk of influenza complications get vaccinated, including your older folks, the very young and those that are pregnant. Look at it this way – the more people that get vaccinated, the more people that will be protected from the flu.
For most people that don’t get the flu shot, they don’t because usually it’s a real inconvenience. You have to make an appointment and sometime you’re not even able to make said appointment. Now you can get your flu shot this year at CVS Pharmacies nationwide or at their MinuteClinic with no appointment needed. And if your CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic is located within a Target location, you even get a $5 Target gift card. You know that you can’t go into Target to pick up “just one thing”, so that gift card would come in very handy.
I recently went into my local CVS Pharmacy in my local Target to find out a bit more information for you. This year the vaccine that is available is the 4 strain vaccine and will protect you against the H1N1, H3N2, B/Victoria lineage and the B/Yamagata lineage viruses.
So why should you and your family get vaccinated?
Here is just 1 good reason!
1. It’s Not Just About YOU!
Getting the flu vaccine can actually keep you from getting the flu. It not only protects you, but also protect the people around you, especially those that are most vulnerable to getting sick. People with a compromised or weaker immune system such as babies, older folks or even those who are sick with certain chronic health conditions.
While getting the flu vaccine does guarantee that you will NOT get the flu, it lowers your risk of actually getting the flu and being hospitalized. As my mother would say “an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure”.
Getting your flu vaccine at CVS Pharmacy is very convenient. It’s available seven days a week, including evenings and weekends at CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations nationwide, and remember no appointment is necessary, you simply walk in. CVS Pharmacy can provide flu shots to adolescents (in some states, depending on regulations), adults and seniors. Their MinuteClinic can provide flu shots to children 18 months and up, adolescents, adults and seniors, making it easy to vaccinate your entire family in just one trip. In addition, customers will receive a 20 percent off CVS Pharmacy Shopping Pass when they get a flu shot at CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic. And don’t forget, patients who receive a flu shot at CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic locations inside select Target stores will also receive a $5 Target Gift Card.
So let’s discuss: Are you getting your flu shot this year?
