High Dosage Flu vaccine note

I had a heck of a time finding any source, in a county with more pharmacies than many cities, finding this. It is highly recommended for persons over 57 years of age and covered by most insurance.

So, if you want the extra protection that we older folks need (longer immunity period for us with this vs the standard vaccine) be sure to call ahead to find out who actually has it in stock. Many places here had not received any yet. And, out of dozens of CVS locations, only a couple had it in stock.

Also, those new needles are less pain than a gentle prick of your finger with a sewing needle.

Stay safe, friends.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

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I wish I could like this more than once. Glad you're bringing awareness to the community about the high dose flu vaccine smiling smiley
We got our senior flu shots almost a month ago and there was no issue with supply here. At this point Public Health is doing walk up, no charge antibody testing and inviting folks to a free flu shot while they are at it. The push for seasonal flu shots here is stronger than I have seen in the past due to fears of seasonal and covid flus simultaneously choking medical facilities this fall/winter. It does take two weeks for the flu shot to reach its fullest protection so getting the vaccination before flu becomes a problem in the community makes sense.
I read a CDC advisory saying that seniors should consider waiting until mid-October to get flu vaccination this year because their immunity, even with the high dose, tends to wear down/off somewhat faster. Because this flu season is predicted to be longer than average, I waited until today.

Hmmm, maybe "blue states" are getting shipping delays ? Or, perhaps MD just has a highly aware senior population that has used up the early supply of vaccine ? After all. it is extremely rare to see anyone within 20 miles of the MD-DC line not wearing a mask in public.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
When I scheduled my flu shot, they confirmed my age. This was necessary because the double dose would be available a month or so after my scheduled shot and they needed to fill shot slots accordingly.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
Great information wales!

Everyone, get your flu shot! You will protect yourself from those who did not.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
When I took my parents to get theirs, the pharmacist said they ran out last year and she predicted the same will happen this year.

Kim
Yes, I saw that same info. Daughter is an RN and she said that the period that the vaccine lasts will then start later and end later. She is predicting a huge problem at the hospitals (she works in a state-operated university hospital in PICU) due to the combo of flu and COVID. Listened to our Gov and state doc and both of them said much the same. We are already experiencing a surge and state doc said basically the numbers are shot to heck for Nov and Gov said she's waiting till Dec to decide if further restrictive measures should be added. As everywhere in the US, the restaurant industry is taking a beating and I think she's hoping she won't to further restrict the restaurants.
I had gone on line and made an appt. to get the flu shop only to arrive at my appt to be told they did not have HD vaccine for seniors. Pharmacist said they expected more in a few days and to call. I did that, called and they did have the vaccine so I went in and got it. I did note that they had a table set up in one corner of the store where a couple people were giving the regular dose vaccine and they had a couple in line and a couple seated and ready to get shots.
When I got my first Shingrix injection last fall, the pharmacist who administered the injection told me to let my arm hang down loose as that way I was not using any muscle. I did that and although that area of my arm was sore to touch I didn't get nearly the reaction that a friend did. She was applying ice and taking Tylenol for the reaction she had. I did that same thing during the second Shingrix and then for my flu shot last week and I think maybe the pharmacist was right.
On the advice of our primary docs, my husband and I got our flu vaccines the latter part of October. We were also due for second doses of pneumococcal vaccines. A shot in each arm but we were tough.

Cash prices for both vaccinations were said to be just over $200. Yes, we’re insured. Even so, we were paid, via pharmacy gift card, to get the shots.
Medicare covers the flu shot ! Also, if you call around to different pharmacy locations you will find that, even within the same pharmacy chain, availability varies. Fortunately, my local CVS was able to tell me which nearby CVS had the high dose version. The injection was pain free except for the smallest "prick" sensation. I have had more pain from mishandling a sewing needle!

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Yes, of course. I was just musing about pharmacies actually paying the customers to get the vaccination.
Typically a grocery chain pharmacy here offers $10 store gift cards to get the flu shot. One year they gave a certificate to get a turkey up to 20#. A drugstore chain generally offers 15% off a store shopping of non-pharmacy items sold by the store when you get your shot.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/08/2020 09:49PM by Flash.
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