The best place to find information for flu vaccinations given in CVS is CVS Pharmacy's official website. Their website has a whole section dedicated to the influenza virus and has a FAQ about getting the flu shot.
For the 2012-2013 flu season, Walmart is one of the least expensive providers of the flu vaccinations with prices of $25. Kroger also offers them for $25. CVS is more expensive in comparison; over $30.
Encourage vaccinations and be sure to get yours.
There is a drug called Tamiflu that is an anti-viral drug that is used to help your immune system fight the flu. Flu vaccinations prevent the flu but they do not fight the flu if you already have it. The vaccines can be administered either by injection as a flu shot or can be given by intra-nasal route with a nasal spray preparation.
A flu shot will prevent the type of influenza virus or viruses that have been used to make the vaccine. A,nd it may sometimes protect against a different, but very similar, strain.
The injected vaccinations approved for use in the US for H1N1/09 can be given to babies as young as 6 months. Vaccinations are not given to younger babies because their immune systems are not mature enough to deal with the immune response needed for vaccinations to work. It is important that all those in contact with infants under 6 months get their vaccinations so they do not bring home the flu to babies at high risk due to their immature immune systems. The nasal mist vaccines can be given to children 2 and older. Check with your pediatrician for the best information on the appropriateness of the vaccinations for your children.
No, it is slightly different. The vaccinations taken by some back in 1976 may provide some limited protection, but the virus is likely different enough that the prior vaccinations will not help. There have been other viruses in the past called "swine flu" that are also different. See the related questions below for more information.
Yes, that is what vaccinations do. They help your immune system learn how to fight off the disease before you get it. After a vaccination, your body has developed those specific germ fighting cells and has them ready and waiting to kick germ butt.See the related questions below for more information on how vaccinations work.
Flu viruses are not yet able to be cured, only prevented with flu vaccinations or symptoms can be lessened with antiviral medicines. If you are exposed and have not received vaccination to prevent it, you will almost always get it and it will have to run its course. That is why flu vaccinations are important to help keep you from getting sick as well as to prevent you giving it to others.
No, there is no scientific indication that there is any link at all.
Not really if they are otherwise healthy, especially if they get their flu vaccinations as recommended by the OB/GYN associations. They are, however, at higher risk of having complications, sometimes serious complications, once they have the flu. See the related questions below for more information about the importance of getting your flu vaccinations in pregnancy, and also who is at higher risk, besides pregnant women, for complications of the flu. Flu vaccinations not only protect you from getting the flu and risking the higher rate of complications of the flu in pregnant women, but also protect your fetus and newborn. Your newborn is without a mature and fully functioning immune system until 6 months old. Until then, the infant relies on your antibodies from breast milk and your antibodies from your blood during gestation to protect them from infectious diseases.
Most women can and should get the flu vaccination during any trimester of pregnancy if the obstetrician approves. Ask your OB/GYN if it will be okay for you. See the related question below for more information about flu vaccinations during pregnancy.
For protection against catching and being sick with the flu. See the related question below about how vaccinations work.