It’s Flu Shot Season – Learn Side Effects and Discover Ways to Save

Welcome to flu shot season – that special time of year when Americans get flu shots and try their darndest to avoid the flu. We can hear your excitement! Before you get a flu shot, it’s helpful to understand the duration of flu season, when to get a flu shot, who should get one, who should avoid one, common side effects, and ways to save money on treatment

Although the timing and duration of flu season can vary year to year, it generally begins in October, peaks from December to March, and sometimes lasts into May.

_\*Information Courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention_

The CDC recommends people get flu vaccinations by the end of October, where possible. If you are unable to get one by then, consider getting vaccinated before the peak of the season, which typically occurs in February.

Who Needs a Flu Shot?

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The CDC recommends the influenza vaccination for everyone over the age of 6 months. However, those with a higher risk of developing complications from the flu are strongly encouraged to receive the vaccination. Those at high risk, include people age 65 and older, pregnant women, young children, and those with chronic medical conditions including:

• Asthma

• Cancer or cancer treatment

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• Cystic fibrosis

• Diabetes

• HIV/AIDS

• Kidney or liver disease

• Obesity

Who Should Avoid the Flu Shot?

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You’ll want to check with your physician prior to getting a flu shot, if you fall into one of these categories:

• Have an allergy to eggs

• You experienced a severe reaction to a previous influenza vaccine

• Children younger than 6 months of age

Flu Shot Side Effects

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According to the Mayo Clinic, the flu vaccine cannot give you the flu. However, you may develop flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches and a fever after receiving the shot. This is likely a side effect of the protective antibodies your body is producing. Additionally, there is a two-week window needed for the flu shot to start working its magic. If exposed to the influenza virus just before or during this window, you may catch the flu.

Other minor side effects from the flu vaccine include soreness, redness and/or swelling from the shot, headache, and nausea.

How to Save Money on Flu Shots

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The good news is, most insurances will cover common vaccinations like the flu shot. However, some insurances will not. For those who do not have insurance (and there are still millions), you will likely need to pay the cash price. Don’t fret – even you can save money on your flu shots. Here are some ways to save this season, if your insurance doesn’t cover it or you don’t have insurance at all.

Check with your employer, local schools, and senior centers. These options will often give highly discounted flu shots as a benefit to employees and/or the community.

RxSaver offers a [$37 flu shot coupon][1] at your local CVS Pharmacy. Just show the coupon to the pharmacist when you go in to get your flu shot.

Additionally, you can get discounts on vaccinations at pharmacies by using prescription discount cards. Typical savings through the RxSaver prescription discount card are 15% – 50% off the cash price you would normally pay. The RxSaver discount card not only gives discounts on flu shots, but other vaccinations as well, including Hep A, Hep B, HPV, MMR, Meningococcal, and Pneumococcal. You can print one of the cards below or request that a card be mailed to you. Then, simply present the discount card to the pharmacy upon receiving the vaccination.

If you haven’t already received a flu shot and you fit within the suggested CDC parameters (especially those at higher risk for getting the flu), then you should strongly consider getting one. Even if your insurance doesn’t cover the cost or you don’t have insurance, you can still afford a flu shot with the RxSaver discount card.

[1]: https://www.rxsaver.com/discountcard?bin=610602&group=LMR814&memberId=LRMN814&pcn=NVT&strength=Fluzone%20Quadrivalent&quantity=1%20syringe&pharmacyName=CVS&price=37.00&drugName=Flu%20Shot&slug=fluzone-quadrivalent-2020-2021&zipCode=78704&filter=&distance=20&brandName=