We Mapped All the Places You Can Get a Flu Shot in Philadelphia
Flu season is upon us. Here’s where you can get the vaccine in Philly.
With fall, comes flu season. To help you do your best to stay healthy in pandemic times, we’ve mapped all the places where you can get your flu shot in Philly. / Photograph by iStock user Wissanu01.
Fall season is officially here, which conjures autumnal “f” words — flannel, firepits, football, and that dreadful one, flu. The CDC advises that everyone six months of age and older get vaccinated this fall, as the likelihood of coming down with the viral infection increases through late fall and peaks between December and February. It’s especially important to get your shot this year, the CDC says, because “it’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading” and the symptoms of each of these contagious respiratory ailments are very similar.
Remember: it takes roughly two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop flu-fighting antibodies, so the sooner, the better. It’s worth noting that the virus constantly mutates, so even though you didn’t get sick last year or the year before, this year’s strain might hit you and others hard. Also, don’t believe popular myths — getting the shot won’t make you sick, as the virus in the vaccine is not active.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, insurance companies are required to cover your annual flu shot without charging a copay. If you have health insurance, be sure to consult your provider to see where you can get your shot to make sure you’re covered. If you are paying out of pocket, all the mapped locations will let you get the shot without insurance. Prices at most retail pharmacies typically range from about $30 to $70, depending on location and which vaccine you want, while Philly’s health centers charge a small fee depending on family size and income. Aside from our list, you can also get your flu shot at your primary care doctor’s office, urgent care centers, and other pharmacies, grocery stores, community clinics and health centers.
To help keep you as healthy as possible this flu season, we’ve mapped all the community flu clinics, health centers, and pharmacies we could find that are offering the flu vaccine throughout the city. Our key: blue = Rite Aid, green = Walgreens, red = CVS, yellow = everything else.
This story was updated on October 5th, 2020. Additional reporting by Isabella DiAmore.
