by Bruce Ziebarth

Created on: June 22, 2010

The 2009 flu season opened many eyes to the importance of flu vaccinations. Flu vaccines have been offered for many years; however, many United States citizens did not get their flu shots. Behavior largely due to perceptions that the flu was “not that bad”. As the H1N1 flu became a full fledged Pandemic, people started looking for where to get vaccinated. Although the United States is out of the 2009 H1N1 season, it is still important to know where to get flu vaccinations.

Your first stop should be your regular doctor. Doctors are aware of when flu vaccines will be available. Doctors also can discuss your risk factors for the flu and potential complications. Should flu vaccine supplies become limited then your doctor can tell you if you are in a high risk group. Doctors are also able to provide location of flu resources and information about prevention.

If you do not have a regular doctor then you are not left out in the cold. Flu information is also available from your local and state health department. Just like your doctor, your local health department receives a supply of flu vaccines. Your local health department can assist you in determining your risk level and obtaining the flu vaccine. Usually, local health departments offer flu vaccines at a low cost.

You can also ask your employer. It may seem silly to ask your employer about getting a flu shot; however, local health departments schedule flu clinics through the community. Each year, missed work due to flu costs businesses billions of dollars. Many employers will hold flu clinics, some even pay for the shots, to help alleviate lost work time. Even if your employer has not scheduled a flu shot clinic, you should still mention it. Your employer may just have not considered holding one.

Schools also hold flu shot clinics. Children are a major carrier of the flu. Once sick child comes to school with the flu and exposes their classmates. These children go home and expose their parents. During the 2009 H1N1 flu season, schools became an important vaccination location. If other sources have failed then your child's school might have information about flu vaccines.

Internet can also provide information about flu shot clinics. Due to the large demand of flu vaccines during the 2009 flu season, many groups started websites to highlight flu shot clinics. American Lung Association provides an online flu shot locator. Some pharmacies and even drug companies also offer flu vaccination locators.

It is important to be able to locate a flu shot clinic. Your doctor can offer information and vaccination. You also can consult your local health department. Even schools can offer information about obtaining flu vaccinations. You even can use the American Lung Association's online flu shot locator. Flu vaccines do not ensure that you will not get the flu. Vaccination can help to lessen the flu's symptoms, severity, and how long you are sick.

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