10 months have passed since the confirmation of COVID-19 in the U.S., and as the flu season approaches doctors and pharmacists encourage flu vaccines now more than ever.
The city of Long Beach, Health Services and Human Services (Health Department), are offering free flu vaccinations for those who don’t have insurance or if their health providers don’t offer the vaccinations.
The Long Beach City College Health Services website said, “Vaccinations should continue as long as the flu and viruses are still spreading. Students who attend LBCC should take advantage of the care being offered.”
Deborah Miller- Calvert, a director at Student Health Services said, “Young children and seniors both are the aged groups who are at risk and more likely to get the flu.”.
However, Long Beach residents can contact any health provider or pharmacists for a flu shot, such as CVS and Walgreens or any other pharmacies participating.
According to Michelle Nguyen, a local CVS pharmacist said, “Anyone 6 months and older should definitely be getting their annual flu vaccination, especially this year.”
Those who get flu shots can experience soreness since the shot itself goes into the muscle, or can feel a little tired or under the weather. But 99% of Nguyen’s patients experience no side effects except for just the sore arm.
There are a lot of ways CVS pharmacies are trying to make it easy for everyone to get a flu vaccine. To make it easier and more Covid-19 conscious, they offer a line-free solution where people can sign up on their website to set up an appointment.
Having an appointment-based approach for flu shots makes it less likely for people to encounter others who could possibly be sick, and the appointment’s paperwork is done electronically to make it easier for patients to get in and out.
CVS has taken other measures to make sure they keep their patients and customers safe from unnecessary exposure.
“Pharmacies have been pretty busy lately, with the transition into home delivery. Your prescriptions can be delivered by mail and that way you’re not exposed to others and you’re able to practice social distancing,” said Nguyen.
Nguyen said, “We want to protect the vulnerable population from getting sick. That goes for anyone with asthma, or those with any health complications. The elderly, the youth, and those with medical conditions. Because people do die from the flu every year, so COVID is definitely considered dangerous.”
Drive-thru clinics for the flu shots are taking place at two different local locations in the area: Long Beach City College Veterans Stadium and Cabrillo High School.
Long Beach City College
Thursdays 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at LBCC Veterans Stadium.
5000 E. Lew Davis St.
Cabrillo High School
Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
2001 Sante Fe Ave.
These drive-thru clinics became available to Long Beach residents on Oct. 1, and will continue to remain available through Nov. 21, or until all supplies last.