How much does the flu shot cost? The 2007 fee for a flu shot is $27 at Shop ‘n Save, National City, and all other public clinics except the ones at Giant Eagle supermarkets, which are $30.

When should I be vaccinated? Flu season in the United States is from November through April. While it is optimal to get your shot in October or November for a full season of prevention, the highest incidence of flu cases occurs in March, so the shot has efficacy throughout the flu season.

For maximum protection, you should receive a vaccine annually. Influenza viruses change often so the vaccine is updated each year to ensure it is as effective as possible. Protection develops about two weeks after receiving the vaccine and lasts up to a year.

Adults and children over nine need just one shot. Children under nine require two shots, one month apart, the first time they are vaccinated.

The flu shot can be given with other vaccines, including the pneumococcal vaccine.

How much does the flu shot cost? The fee for 2007 flu shots has not yet been determined.

Will my insurance cover my flu/pneumonia shot? In most cases, the shots are covered by Medicare and Highmark senior products:

Medicare:
Health Hope Network accepts Medicare and Railroad Medicare if the shot recipient's Medicare coverage is primary for this type of service (a vaccination) by this type of provider (a mass immunization site). If the shot recipient is not sure of which coverage is primary, Health Hope Network can bill Medicare but may have to bill the recipient for the shot if Medicare rejects the claim as non-primary.

Highmark senior products:
Health Hope Network accepts Highmark senior products Security Blue, Freedom Blue, and Medigap (formerly Security 65).

If you are not covered by one of the above insurances then Health Hope Network asks that you pay cash for your shot. Most insurance providers will reimburse shot recipients for shots paid for with cash if they submit a receipt, but only your insurance provider's Customer Service line can tell you for sure.

Why should I get vaccinated? Influenza is a serious disease. It is caused by a virus that spreads from infected persons to the nose or throat of others. Influenza can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, cough, chills, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, etc.

Influenza can affect people of any age, and while most people are ill for only a few days, it can cause symptoms so severe that they result in hospitalization or even death, especially among the elderly.

The vaccine can prevent influenza.

Should I check with my doctor before getting vaccinated? Be sure to check with your doctor prior to receiving an influenza vaccine if you have had a serious allergic reaction to eggs or to a previous dose of influenza vaccine, or if you have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).

If you have a fever or are seriously ill at the time your vaccine is scheduled, you should talk with your physician and wait until you recover to receive the vaccine.

Will getting a flu shot ensure I don't get the flu? No. Influenza viruses are living organisms that change constantly. While the vaccine is updated regularly, it does not cover all strains of influenza. However, vaccinated people who do contract influenza often have a milder case than those who are unvaccinated.

Many people call any illness with fever and cold symptoms "the flu,", when it may be a different illness.

Can getting a flu shot make me sick? It is not possible to contract influenza as a result of being vaccinated as the vaccine does not contain live virus.

What are the risks from influenza vaccine? Most people who receive an influenza vaccine experience no serious side effects.

An influenza vaccine, like any medicine, can cause serious allergic reactions, particularly in people with an allergy to eggs or who have reacted to past influenza vaccines. The risk of serious harm or death is extremely limited.

After receiving the vaccine, be alert for any unusual conditions, including high fever, behavioral changes or signs of severe allergic reaction, including:

• Difficulty breathing
• Hoarseness or wheezing
• Hives
• Pale complexion
• Weakness
• Fast heartbeat
• Dizziness

Who gives the vaccine? All vaccines are administered by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

Who should get influenza vaccine? People who should receive the vaccine include people at risk to contract a serious case of influenza or to develop complications, and their household members. An annual flu shot is recommended for people who are:

• 50 years of age or older
• A resident in a long-term care facility which houses people with chronic medical conditions
• Living with a serious, long-term health problem, including:
  • Heart disease
  • Lung disease or asthma
  • Kidney disease
  • Metabolic disease (such as diabetes)
  • Anemia and other blood disorders
• Living with a weakened immune system due to:
  • Autoimmune diseases, including HIV/AIDS
  • Long-term treatment with steroids or similar drugs
  • Cancer treatment with X-ray or drugs
• Six months to 18 years of age, and on long-term aspirin treatment, and thus susceptible to Reye Syndrome resulting from influenza
• A woman who will be past the third month of pregnancy during flu season
• A health care professional, family member or other person in regular, close contact with people at risk for serious influenza

The flu shot is also beneficial to people who:

• Provide essential community services
• Travel to the southern hemisphere between April and September or to the tropics at any time
• Live in dormitories or other close living conditions (to prevent outbreaks)
• Want to reduce their chances of contracting influenza

How can I learn more? Ask your physician for information about whether the influenza vaccine is right for you.

Contact the Allegheny County Health Department at (412) 687-ACHD or (412) 687-2243.

Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

(800) 232-2522 (English)
(800) 232-0233 (Español)
http://www.cdc.gov/nip

Contact Health Hope Network for information about area vaccination schedules at (412) 937-8350 or check our online flu clinic schedule.