As part of a post sponsored by Collective Bias®, I visited Walgreens to learn more about annual flu vaccines and their amazing “Give a Shot, Get a Shot” campaign which helps kids around the world to stay healthy.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not crazy over shots but I do get my flu shot every year. When I attended grad school for Public Health, I learned about the benefits of getting regularly scheduled vaccines for kids & adults.
But there was one year that I didn’t get my flu shot – I was pregnant with my first child and the doctor recommended that I wait until I was out of my first trimester to get the shot. Unfortunately, I got the flu that fall and it was AWFUL! I was worried about the baby, ran a fever for three days, missed a week of work and felt horrible.
Never again will I miss my shot – it’s such as easy way to stay healthy during flu season. I’m less likely to miss out on holiday events or work if I’m healthy. And as a parent, I make sure my kids are up to date on all their immunizations so I should set a good example and make sure that I get mine too.
One of the most convenient places to find flu vaccines for adults is at your local Walgreens store. You don’t need an appointment, just walk in to the pharmacy area and ask for a flu vaccine.
Yep, it’s that easy.
You’ll see signs and information throughout the store highlighting the flu shot opportunities. And one of the big advantages is that you can also pick up items on your shopping list during your visit. In fact, my son needed cough drops and my daughter needed an item for school so I grabbed both items during my visit (love the convenience).
The pharmacy staff at Walgreens is trained to administer immunizations and you’ll receive an information sheet with details about what’s included in the flu vaccine and any minor side effects you may experience.
Once you arrive in the pharmacy area, a staff member will ask you to sign a sheet indicating you’d like a flu shot. You can then pull up a comfy chair to fill out and sign a brief medical form. Make sure to wear a short sleeve shirt or a top with loose arms so that it’s easy to receive the shot.
You’ll be called into a private area to receive your flu shot — either an area separated with a privacy screen or an exam room if your Walgreens store has a Health Clinic.
And before you know it, you’ll have your shot and be on your way!
And in addition to flu shots, there’s also a number of other vaccines available for adults – you can update your Tetnus and MMR (Measle, Mumps Rubella) immunizations too. Walgreens also offers vaccines for Shingles, Hepatitis A & B, Pneumonia and Whooping Cough.
So whether you’re past due for a shot or planning to travel and need an immunization update, the walk-in option at Walgreens is so convenient and easy.
Helping Kids Around the World
This year, Walgreens has partnered with the United Nations Foundation’s Shot at Life campaign. For each person who receives a flu shot or any immunization at Walgreens before October 14, 2013, Walgreens will donate a life saving vaccine to a child in a developing country.
The “Get a Shot, Give a Shot” campaign will donate up to 3 million vaccines to help kids fight diseases like measles and polio.
You can learn more about the campaign on the Walgreens website or by visiting my Google+ #GiveaShot album for photos on my visit.
I love that message – take care of yourself and you’ll help take care of others!
I got my flu shot this year and I’m giving a child a shot at college. Kids who stay healthy are less likely to miss school and won’t fall behind due to illness giving them a better shot at furthering their education.
So what will you give a child a shot at this year?
Thanks to Walgreens for offering the #Giveashot program to help others this year and for joining efforts with #cbias to share the campaign message.