Reduce your misery |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated annually against influenza. Do you like kids? Well one study showed that flu vaccinations reduced the risk of flu-associated death by half for children with high risk medical conditions and nearly two-thirds among healthy kids.
Medical conditions increasing your risk of influenza complications include:
Asthma
Cancer or cancer treatment
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Cystic fibrosis
Diabetes
HIV/AIDS
Kidney or liver disease
Obesity
Pregnancy
There are two reasons not to get a flu shot and consult your doctor. If you are allergic to eggs then talk to your doctor. There are some flu vaccines that do not contain egg proteins. If you have had a severe reaction in the past then consult your doctor. Some reactions might not be related to the vaccine.
How much does a flu shot cost? In most cases, it doesn't cost anything out of pocket. The Affordable Care Act required insurers to cover the cost of patients' flu shots with out charging a copay, although some insurers only cover vaccines given by doctors or at certain locations. Ambetter lists it's rules regarding flu shots on it's page and yes some can earn rewards for receiving one! Lifewise preventative services such as screenings and shots are covered without an out-of-pocket charge (except HSA plan). If you have Washington Apple Health then you can have one administered at your physician's or pharmacy's office. (Matt got his shot at a local grocery store pharmacy this year for no out of pocket cost.)
Matt receiving Flu shot at local pharmacy |
It takes up to two weeks to build immunity after a flu shot, but you can benefit from the vaccine even if you don't get it until after the flu season starts. It's usually best for people in the United States to get their flu vaccine around the end of October. (However, you can still protect yourself against late flu outbreaks if you get the vaccine in February or later.)
Since we have the Healthcare Open Enrollment Fair on the first Saturday of November. We asked the Washington Valley Pharmacy if they would run flu shots for the community and they said yes. You can get your flu Vaccine at no cost at the Wenatchee Community Center (Veteran's Hall) from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Just bring your insurance information.
Medicare Enrollment runs from Oct 15th through Dec 7th. Healthcare Open Enrollment runs from Nov 1st through Dec 15th for Healthcare. Suzie Health Solutions is the Full Service Enrollment Center for the Washington Healthplanfinder. We assist in enrollment and education in healthcare with out charging a fee. Find us on Facebook or you can schedule an appointment today.
You can only eat so much soup so get your shot. |
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