Where to Get a Flu Shot in Oswego

Raise your hand if you've got the flu or a cold right now. 

You're in good company, unfortunately.

If you've been considering getting a flu shot to try and ward off that nasty virus, or if you're just looking for a local pharmacy to pick up a slew of cough drops, nasal decongestants and a few more boxes of tissues, here's a list of Oswego pharmacies and information on their flu shots.

• Meijer: Get a flu shot at the Oswego Meijer, 2700 Route 34, for $24.99 (most insurance accepted). Vaccinations are available at Meijer to people ages 14 and older. Download a vaccination consent form here, and click here to download a physician notification form.
• Walgreens: Flu vaccinations are available atWalgreens Take Care Clinics, 410 Chicago Road. Walk in anytime or schedule an appointment by clicking here. Most insurance accepted.
• Jewel-Osco: Jewel-Osco, 2530 US Route 30, offers vaccinations for $29.99 ($59.99 for high-dose flu shots) and accepts most insurance, including Medicare. High dose, nasal spray and preservative-free formulations are available, along with the traditional seasonal vaccine. Click here to make an appointment.
• Target: The Target Pharmacy, 3020 Route 34, offers a Flu Shot for $28,  a High-Dose Flu Shot for $45 and an Intradermal Flu Shot for $28. Most insurance is accepted.
• Dominick's: The Dominick's Pharmacy at 3010 W. Route 34 offers  a Flu Shot, Flu Nasal Spray, High-Dose Flu Shot, and Intradermal Flu Shot. Most insurance is accepted.
• Wal-Mart: The Wal-Mart Supercenter offers Flu shots for $25. Most insurance, including Medicare, is accepted. 

But, are you guaranteed to get the flu if you don’t get vaccinated against it? Of course not—but here’s why getting a flu vaccine just might be worth your while.

Influenza, or the "flu,” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs.

Symptoms include muscle or body aches, headaches, cough, sore throat, fatigue, fever or chills, and vomiting and diarrhea (the latter two are more common in kids). The flu can also worsen chronic medical conditions or cause death.

Unfortunately, flu viruses can spread easily via infected people coughing, sneezing or even just talking. Folks are contagious a day before symptoms appear and up to a week after getting sick.

It’s also possible to get the flu by touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose.

The CDC recommends getting vaccinated as early as possible, as it takes a few weeks to reach full immunity.

Flu shots are an inactivated vaccine made from killed virus, which means it’s impossible to get the flu from the vaccine, explains Dr. Angela Rasmussen, Ph.D, an infectious disease expert.

There are currently three flu shots being produced in the U.S.: the regular (intramuscular) seasonal flu shot, a high-dose vaccine for people 65 and older, and an intradermal (injected into the skin) vaccine for people ages 18 to 64.

A nasal-spray flu vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses (which also do not cause the flu) is also available to healthy people ages 2 to 49 years old, except pregnant women. The most common side effect from a flu shot is soreness at the injection site.

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and up get an annual flu vaccine. Even if you don’t think you need a flu shot, consider that you can be a flu carrier without feeling sick and spread it to loved ones around you, says Jack Cantlin, a pharmacist and the divisional vice president of retail clinical services at Walgreens.

Folks at greater risk for serious complications from the flu include the elderly, young children, pregnant women and nursing home residents. People with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and chronic lung disease—as well as those who work with them—are also at risk.

“People at high risk should talk with their doctor about getting a high-dose 
flu shot, as this can provide better protection for people with immune
 systems that have been weakened by age or other medical conditions,” says Dr. Rasmussen.

She also recommends asking about the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination, because a pertussis infection coupled with the flu can cause more severe diseases, especially in young children.

People with severe chicken egg allergies, a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome, and those who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past should consult their doctor before getting a flu shot.

People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until they are well. Babies under 6 months of age should not get a flu shot.

In addition to doctors' offices and hospitals, flu shots are readily available at most pharmacies for approximately $20 to $30 
(much of which is generally covered by insurance) and can be given without a prescription.

Many employers and 
community organizations also offer flu shot clinics, and non-profit organizations and local governments may offer vouchers for free shots.