When you get a flu shot, you protect yourself and all those around you
Wondering where to get a flu shot near you? Baylor Scott & White Health offers convenient ways for your family to receive flu vaccinations:
Note:The flu clinic schedules are subject to change based on vaccine supply. To confirm vaccine availability, please contact the individual clinic.
Frequently asked questions
About flu shots
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Who should receive a flu shot?
Listed below are specific groups who should be immunized for the flu:
- All children aged 6–59 months (i.e., 6 months–4 years);
- All persons aged 50 years or older
- Children and adolescents (aged 6 months–18 years) receiving long-term aspirin therapy who therefore might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
- Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
- Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)
- Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus
- 成年人和孩子有任何条件(例如,cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders or other neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
- Healthcare personnel
- Healthy household contacts (including children) and caregivers of children under 5 years and adults 50 years or older, with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children under 6 months
- Healthy household contacts (including children) and caregivers of persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza (the flu)
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Can the flu shot cause the flu?
The flu shot cannot cause the flu. Some people may experience a little soreness or swelling where they receive the shot, but it goes away in a day or two. Serious problems from the flu shot are rare. Sometimes a person who gets a flu vaccine can get the flu, but it will often be milder than without the flu vaccine.
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Is there a cost associated with flu vaccinations?
The majority of health insurance plans cover the annual flu vaccine. Be sure to consult with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage. Co-pays may apply for the flu shot.
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Can I get the flu shot if I have had COVID-19?
Yes, you can get the flu shot if you had COVID-19 and it is encouraged.
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How long should I wait to get the flu shot if I've had COVID-19?
Once you complete the 10 days of quarantine and are asymptomatic, it is good time to get the flu and the COVID-19 shot together.
What is the flu?
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How is the flu transmitted, and how can it be prevented?
The respiratory virus that is currently circulating in the United States is passed from person to person. Seasonal flu is spread by people infected with the virus who are coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread by touching something with flu viruses on it, such as a tissue or a doorknob, and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose.
You can protect yourself from the flu by washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water. You also can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. You should also avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Stay away from people who are sick (especially if they have fever, cough and a sore throat). Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.
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What can the public do to prepare for flu season?
The most important thing you can do for you and your family in preparing for flu season is to get the flu vaccine. This important step isnow recommendedby the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) for everyone over 6 months of age.
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What are the symptoms of the flu, and what do I do if I have them?
The most common symptoms are sudden onset of fever (half having a temperature greater than 100.4), cough, sore throat, body aches, chills, headache and fatigue. Some people with the flu have experienced diarrhea and vomiting, as well. Stay home if you get sick. In most cases, people with the flu will get better without medical attention. Wait to be around people until your fever has been gone for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medications.
Warning: Do not give aspirin or medications that contain aspirin to children 18 years and younger. If you are at risk for complications of influenza, call your healthcare provider.
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What is the difference between COVID-19 and the flu?
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms, from mild symptoms to severe illness. Although symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 can look similar, they are caused by different viruses. While many people have built up immunity to seasonal flu strains, there is no known immunity to COVID-19.
了解更多关于我们的安全护理plan and updates about COVID-19
Globally, about 3.4% of people with reported COVID-19 cases have died. By comparison, seasonal flu generally kills less than 1% of those infected.
Differences
- Incubation: 2-14 days for COVID-19 vs. 1-4 days for flu
- Transmission: It is possible for COVID-19 to spread through airborne droplets after the infected person is no longer present (also see similarities)
- Onset: COVID-19 symptoms are generally gradual. Flu symptoms tend to come on abruptly
- Vaccine availability: You are able to get the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine at the same time.
Similarities
- Symptoms: Fever or chills, cough, congestion, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, severe headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea
- Transmission: Both can be spread by droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks (also see differences)
- Onset: COVID-19 symptoms are generally gradual. Flu symptoms tend to come on abruptly
- Cure: There are no drugs to cure COVID-19 or the flu. Treatment is for symptoms
专家建议和新闻
VisitScrubbing In®for the latest on flu and COVID-19.
Should pregnant women get the flu shot?
It’s that time of year again, when we’re all being urged to get our flu shots. Many moms-to-be often ask me whether it’s safe for them to get vaccinated. The answer is yes, it is safe, and it’s strongly recommended no matter where you are in your pregnancy.
Why should you get a flu shot?
It’s that time of year again. And with the beginning of every flu season, misinformation and myths about the flu vaccine begin to circulate, making it difficult to dissect fact from fiction. So why should someone consider getting vaccinated against the flu?
5 ways to reduce your child's chances of getting the flu, measles
During flu season, parents are often on high alert. As we all know, children are notorious for contracting and spreading infections. Children like to touch, lick and eat almost everything they come in contact with — especially when parents aren’t watching.
Flu vs. COVID-19: How to tell the difference
Information and guidance about COVID-19 care and vaccination continues to evolve. Please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the latest. As we enter flu season amidst the coronavirus pandemic, deciphering symptoms of influenza (also known as the flu) vs. COVID-19 is one of the more common questions we face.
Why getting a flu shot is especially important during COVID-19
As COVID-19 continues to be an ever-present concern, we are on the cusp of another more familiar virus that will soon be vying for our attention—influenza. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over the past five years, an average of 32.6 million Americans a year had symptoms related to the flu.
5 ways to boost your immune system for flu season
Getting the flu vaccine is your first (and most obvious step) in preventing a nasty bout of flu this season, but after you’ve crossed that off your to-do list, your work isn’t over. There are other steps you can take to help keep you and your family healthy all flu season long.
Why getting the flu shot isn't all about you
As flu season is upon us once again, there’s something you need to know: Getting a flu shot isn’t all about you. It’s also about the people who are unable to get flu shots, the ones whose immune systems can’t fight off a virus like yours can and the ones already weak from battling cancer and other illnesses.
What to do (and not to do) when you have the flu
If you or your child is diagnosed with COVID-19, you don’t have to navigate the virus alone. Baylor Scott & White Health’s digital at-home monitoring can provide the support your family needs to recover well at home.
Who is most susceptible to the flu?
The flu can attack anyone, but some people are more susceptible to the virus than others. As physicians, we believe it is important that you know your risks and how to prevent the flu before it gets you.