Battling the flu: Just in case
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on January 14, 2013 1:46 PM
Full Size
News-Argus/TROY HERRING
Phyllis Beers, LPN, prepares flu shots in the Immunization Clinic at the Health Department as she waits for patients early today. There is an ample supply of the vaccine available, and doctors recommend people get the shot.
About the only obstacle to getting a flu shot in Wayne County is taking the time to go in and get it.
A quick canvass Friday showed an ample supply of the flu vaccine, with no waiting.
Only two outlets reported they are out of the vaccine.
Medstat Centre on Wayne Memorial Drive said there are no plans to order more of the vaccine. Goldsboro Pediatrics expects to replenish its supply this week.
Walk-in emergency care clinics said that like anything else their offices handle, patients wanting a flu shot can just show up and request one.
At Immediate Care on Wayne Memorial Drive, cost is $35. Staff there said most insurances will not cover flu vaccine, but the paperwork may be submitted to insurance companies for reimbursement.
Nextcare Urgent Care Center, at 212 N. Spence Ave., is charging $25 for the vaccine. They also accept Medicare and Blue Cross insurance. Office hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
At Wayne Memorial Hospital, there are not typically provisions made to schedule patients for the flu vaccine, officials said.
It does administer shots for employees and their families, though, said Georgia Dees, public relations director. And if someone is admitted to the hospital who has not had the vaccine, one can be made available.
"People don't just come here and ask for a flu shot," she said. "But we do offer it to anyone who comes into the E.D. (emergency department). We offer it to anyone who's admitted."
The hospital has actually fared better than many of its counterparts around the state, Mrs. Dees said.
"We have had flu (cases) but we haven't had it like some of these other places have," she said. "As far as telling people where to go to get (the vaccine) -- CVS, Immediate Care, their family physicians -- we encourage them to get it somewhere.
"We're not having any kind of shortage of flu vaccine."
The Health Department has maintained a similar message, encouraging residents to take advantage of the prevalence of the vaccine this year.
It is available to anyone over six months of age, including adults. Those 19 and older may only receive the injectable version.
Clinic hours are Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Several area drug stores have also offered the service, typically during hours the pharmacy is open.
CVS and Walgreens accept walk-ins and insurance, with both charging $31.99 for the vaccine. The vaccine is available at Walgreens during regular store hours, while CVS hours are 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekends.
Rite Aid hours to get the vaccine are 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturdays and from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sundays. Out-of-pocket cost for the shot is $29.99.