How To Get Johnson And Johnson Vaccine

Where to Get Your Flu Vaccination

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Some years the flu season can be much more aggressive than others. As soon as one person has it, it seems everyone is coming down with it. Dry coughs can be heard everywhere, complaints of aching muscles and tiredness increase and germs are spreading like wildfire. One way to make sure you don't fall victim to this illness is by scheduling an appointment for your annual flu vaccination. Here are the different recommended flu dosages, potential side effects from the vaccination and various places where these are administered, such as flu shot clinics and workplaces.

Dosage for Children

It is important that flu shots are given in the correct dosage, which varies depending on age. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that those as young as six months receiving the vaccination and any child between six months and eight years that has never received the influenza vaccination or hasn't received two doses before July 1, 2016, should be administered two doses in the same season at least four weeks apart.

Those six to 35 months should receive:

.25 mL for Fluzone Quadrivalent
Five mL for FluLaval Quadrivalent

Any child three years and older should receive five mL for all inactivated influenza vaccine products.

Side Effect of Regular Dosage

As with any vaccination, there is a chance of side effects. Common flu shot side effects include anything from soreness and swelling where the shot was administered to nausea and fever. These would usually start appearing within minutes to a few hours after receiving the vaccination. If you start seeing severe allergic reactions such as hives, paleness, difficulty breathing and wheezing, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Dosage for 65+

Fluzone High Dose is specifically aimed at those who are 65 and older. Those in this age category tend to have weaker immune defenses which increase their risk of coming down with the illness and making it much more difficult to recover from. With a higher dosage, the chances that the immune system will respond to the vaccine increases. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine noted that the high-dose vaccine was 24.2% more effective relative to standard–dose vaccine in those 65 and older.

Side Effects of High Dose

Similar to the regular flu vaccination dosage, a high dose may also lead to side effects. While they are rare, they are usually only mild and temporary. These effects may be muscle aches, headaches and malaise. It is important to note that this high dosage is not recommended to anyone who has a previous record of having a severe reaction to this vaccine.

Where to Get Flu Shots

If you have not received your flu vaccination yet, it is never too late. Flu shots are administered in numerous locations spread out around towns and cities. Www.vaccinefinder.org is a great flu shot location locator that will also search clinics based on what type of vaccination you need and how far you are willing to travel.

The price will vary depending on where you get the shot and what type of insurance coverage you have. If you do not have a regular doctor head to your local clinic, any of the major pharmacies or, for students, your local college health center.

Finding Free Flu Clinics

Those that don't have medical insurance or a large family can visit a free or low-cost clinic. Check online for the Health and Human Services Office near you.

In every state, there is a high chance that a few clinics or organizations offer shots for little or no cost to the local community. For example, free flu shots happen in St Louis, Missouri, specifically near Barnes Jewish Hospital. For the past 14 years, they have been offering this to their local community. In 2016 they vaccinated over 20,000 people at their clinics. There are also free flu shots in Albuquerque, New Mexico thanks to a Presbyterian Medical group.

Company Flu Shots

Some employers also hire companies that offer on-site flu clinics. This is both convenient for employees as they don't have to schedule a separate flu vaccination appointment elsewhere, and ideal for the employer as, in theory, there shouldn't be as many sick days taken by employees.