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JACKSONVILLE, Fla – It could be another bad season for the Centers for Disease Control.
Last season 700,000 people were hospitalized with the virus with epidemic levels of flu pneumonia for 16 weeks straight. At least 180 children died from the virus and 80 percent of those were not vaccinated.
There are many advertisements for free flu shots but most of the time is available for people with insurance or qualifying Medicare plan.
In that case, you might want to shop around for incentives to get the shot.
Publix is giving away a $ 10 gift card if you get your free flu shot there. Target is giving away a $ 5 gift card if you get your shot at a Target CVS Pharmacy.
Florida Blue Retail Centers at the St. Johns Town Center and River City Marketplace are also offering free shots and a $ 5 gift card to Walgreens. It's offering the vaccine on Thursdays from 10 a.m.-noon.
Costco has the best shot if your insurance does not cover the shot. It costs $ 19.99, and you do not have a member to get it.
Sam's Club offers the shot for $ 32 for members and non-members. Walgreens, CVS and Walmart are all right around $ 41 and under.
Fluzone high dose is an injection of vaccine for people age 65 and older. The high dose vaccine contains many times that stimulates the immune system.
That one can costs as much as $ 30 more if you do not have insurance.
The CDC recommends getting the flu shot by the end of October.
If your child is younger than 9 years old and is getting the flu shot for the first time, the CDC says it will be okay.
For a pain free shot, a Walgreens pharmacist recommends asking the person giving the shot to warm up the serum in their hands by rubbing the vial before they stick you. He said that you feel the burning sensation you might otherwise feel out of the shot.
Copyright 2018 by WJXT News4Jax – All rights reserved.
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