Three Places Where You Can Get a Flu Shot in Raleigh

Then reality struck like a bolt of lightning. If everyone got a flu shot thenâÂ?¦. Then not everyone could get a flu shot. There just isn’t enough to go around.

Flu clinics were setting up everywhere ;in malls ; in pharmacies; in community centers; anywhere they thought people were.

The CDC stepped in and set up guidelines on who could get a shot and how much each area could get.

Supply was suddenly cut in half by production failures producing clean vaccine. (Half the U.S. supply was contaminated) In addition our well oiled government had lived up to everyones expectation and planned just as well as they plan for other major risks.

A few entrepreneurs stepped in and tried to increase the availability by adding water or just using water instead of the vaccine. I guess they thought that the placebo effect might work with flu. You have to give them credit for having a lot of brass. When folks found out they were plenty miffed and a bit concerned.

At least it turned out that they used clean water and the recipients were unharmed except perhaps in the pocket book. What’s worse these medical people are otherwise competent. Maybe they will help improve health care in the prison system. I guess they had a little water on the brain to do a daft thing like that.

The CDC stepped in again and tightened the guidelines now even doctors couldn’t get the vaccine. People were litterally flying to Canada to get a shot. Faced with a real shortage (worse than last year) and no possible way to vaccinate everyone who should be vaccinated they have placed many restrictions on flu vaccine.

Nevertheless, if you meet the CDC criteria for shot, there is a supply available.

To summarize the criteria from CDC you should get have a flu shot if you are 65 years or older; if you are between 6 and 23 months (you will need a parent to take you for it); if you are 6 months to 18 years and on aspirin therapy (to avoid Reye syndrome); if you have a ongoing respiratory condition requiring medical care; if you have a compromised immune system; if you are 50 to 65 with ongoing health problems like diabetes that places you at increased risk; and finally if you are one of those people who though healthy are at increased risk of transmitting the flu because they work with a lot of at risk people.

Details of the criteria can be found on the CDC website at (www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm)

Wake County Public Services is providing flu vaccinations at the Sunnybrook Building just off the intersection of I440 (the beltline) and New Bern Avenue. I got my shot there last year and it is pretty well run. You fill out a little paperwork and get your shot. Even if there is a line, it doesn’t take too long.

Depending on your age and medical condition the shot may be free. If not it is $25 for a standard flu shot and $45 for the Flu-mist vaccine. You may need a reservation, so please call first.

Hours are Monday – Friday 9 am to 3 pm, as long as they have vaccine.
Sunnybrook Building (Human Services)
10 Sunnybrook Road
Raleigh, NC 27610

(919) 212-7000

There are also a couple of medical organizations that still list flu shots on the services they provide. Unlike the 2004-2005 flu season, the government has taken a much bigger role in the flu vaccine. This has resulted in somewhat restricted access to the limited supplies. In 2006 only a few brave medical clinics still offer the vaccine. There may be restrictions, so call ahead. The advantage to the following two clinics is they are open for evening and weekend hours. Both fall into the area of urgent care facilities.

I used Doctor’s Urgent Care last fall for a wicked cough that was keeping me up at night. They gave me some stuff that puts the bugs lights out.

The doctors there are the real McCoy with genuine certificates of authenticity. They even have regular patients who prefer the hours. These places are excellent whether you are covered by insurance or prefer to pay cash.

Shots at these clinic may cost a few dollars more, I usually qualify for free shots so I have no experience with the charges.

If you want to give these clinics a try you can find them at:

Tremont Medical Center
8312 Creedmoor Road
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 846-7403

And

Doctor’s Urgent Care
4100 Wake Forest Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 872-3959

I do suggest calling ahead to make sure that they have the vaccine.

In addition, should you just now be starting to experience the flu you may want to consider a medication? One, Relenza is being considered to help people fight the coming Bird Flu. Another is Tamiflu also a candidate.

Relenza and Tamiflu work by reducing the duration of the flu symptoms. (I know, not very scientific, but if you have the flu it’s the symptoms that hurt) They also shorten the duration to recovery. Problem is they work best if taken at onset of the flu symptoms. Within the first 24 hours; earlier if possible.

These medications can turn a deadly case of the flu into a more tolerable illness. They are not cures. But they can be the difference between spending time in bed versus spending time in the hospital.

Relenza is the less expensive of the two. It comes as a nasal mist which turns some patients off. The advantage of this is the drug starts its work in the patients blood stream immediately.

Tamiflu is a normal pill form. It takes longer to start up as it has to go through the digestive system first. It costs more for the full treatment. It has been available about a year longer than Relenza, so it has a longer track record.

These drugs have been known to prevent and/or limit flu in some persons if taken within two weeks of what is known as a community flu outbreak. Actually the National Institute of Health on there flu out break fact sheet says prevent, but not having seen the data we should be happy if it just decreases the impact. The difficulty with this is you would have to know an outbreak is about to occur as the benefit apparently wears off.

I personally recommend a flu vaccination if you are high risk and limiting your contact with humanity during outbreaks. Particularly those young bouncy children with runny noses who just love to hug you and share there half eaten food with you. On second thought, just get a flu shot and enjoy the kids, it’s worth the risk.