Come to our Flu Shot Clinics on Friday, October 4th, and Friday, October 25th!

The CDC is predicting this year’s flu season will begin in mid-October, just a month away. The American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending all children who can be vaccinated get the flu shot before October 31.

Last year, the influenza season stretched from October 1, 2018, to May 4, 2019. That’s right – the flu season lasted eight months and ended just 14 weeks ago! About 42.9 million people experienced the flu last year and close to 61,200 deaths were attributed to the flu.

To get the flu shot, visit our Urgent Care below the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn on Friday, October 4th, or Friday, October 25th. Between 1 pm and 9 pm, we’ll be holding a Flu Shot Clinic, administering vaccines to everyone in your family over the age of 6 months.*

Isn’t the flu just throwing up and diarrhea for a few days?

NO. That’s gastroenteritis, or “stomach flu”, which isn’t flu at all. Influenza is a respiratory disease that affects the lungs. While children may experience some vomiting and diarrhea with the flu, they will also have headaches, body and muscle aches, and fatigue. They may or may not have a fever, cough, or sore throat.

My child has asthma. Should she get the flu shot?

YES. Because influenza affects the lungs, it triggers asthma attacks and worsens asthma symptoms. Children – and adults – with asthma are much more likely to develop pneumonia and other serious respiratory diseases after having the flu.

My child is too young for kindergarten and doesn’t go to preschool or daycare. Does he need a flu shot?

YES. Kids under the age of 5 have an increased risk of developing serious complications from a bout with the flu. These can include pneumonia, inflammation of the heart, inflammation of the heart, or inflammation of muscle tissue. They are at serious risk of multiple organ failure and sepsis.

My child is really healthy. Does she need the flu shot?

YES. Even healthy children can develop serious complications that will impact their well-being for decades to come. Most importantly, vaccinating your healthy child means you are helping to establish herd immunity, keeping everyone your child comes in contact with healthy too. That means your child is protecting elderly people at church or the grocery store, medically fragile children at school or the library, people battling cancer, and vulnerable infants.

Do we have to come to the Flu Shot Clinic?

NO. Your child can also get a flu shot in our offices at a wellness visit. We established the Flu Shot Clinic to make it easier for our families who don’t normally visit in the fall to get vaccinated quickly and conveniently.

Can anyone come to the Flu Shot Clinic?

YES. You don’t have to be a regular Alzein family to get vaccinated at our Clinic.*

When and where is the Flu Shot Clinic?

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, and FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, from 1 pm to 9 pm at our URGENT CARE, 5106 Museum Drive in Oak Lawn. You don’t need an appointment, you can just walk in!

*Some insurance restrictions may apply. Please call our office if you have any questions.

Make sure your children are over the age of 6 months – and you! – are vaccinated before October 31st.