any healthcare professional – worth their salt – would not recommend getting a flu shot in this time of year, But the vast majority of these employee chain Pharmacists are just doing as they are told – in fact – most chain pharmacists have QUOTAS of getting/giving SO MANY VACCINATIONS EVERY DAY… I guess things have changed, it use to be any vendor that gives a “rebate/discount” for anyone covered by Medicare/Medicaid or any federal health program to cause those health programs to incur an expense is/was considered a illegal kickback.
I have heard of some chains – in the past – who have pushed flu shots this early in the year, were “pushing” for a second or “booster” flu shots in Nov, Dec & Jan because the pt’s antibodies by the end of the year after getting a flu shot this early in the year are waning and may not be high enough to protect a pt from catching the flu after the first of the year when the flu starts to ramp up. I guess is a good way for the chain pharmacies to “double dip” by encouraging early flu shots and then recommending a second/booster flu shot when the real flu season gets here because the pt’s antibody blood level is “too low’ to be effective, when it is needed the most. Besides, most insurances pay 100% for flu shots – so the pts may not object to getting a second flu shot, since they don’t have any out of pocket costs.
In this article ..it is stated … A recent spike in flu cases in the Southern Hemisphere is being regarded as a warning sign that flu activity in the U.S. The southern hemisphere is – seasonally – 6 months ahead of us… it is like early Feb in “down under” right now.
Personally, we don’t get our annual flu shot until the last week in Sept and/or the first two weeks of Oct. It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to “ramp up” to effective blood levels and typically peak flu season is at the end of the year or the first of the next year.
Flu shots now available at Walgreens and you can get a cash reward for getting one
Walgreens said it is now offering flu shots for anyone 3 and older and it is offering cash rewards for getting any vaccination.
According to Walgreens, reports indicate, “A recent spike in flu cases in the Southern Hemisphere is being regarded as a warning sign that flu activity in the U.S. could reach pre-pandemic levels during the 2022-2023 flu season. Australia is nearing the end of its worst flu season in five years, according to a report from the country’s Department of Health and Aged Care.”
Walgreen is offering a $5 Walgreens Cash reward August through December and a $10 Walgreens Cash reward in September to myWalgreens members that receive any vaccination at Walgreens. Customers must be a myWalgreens member to get the rewards.
“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect ourselves and those around us from flu and other vaccine preventable illnesses,” said Dr. Anita Patel, PharmD, vice president, pharmacy services development, Walgreens. “To help save families a trip, Walgreens pharmacists are co-administering flu shots and other recommended vaccines during a single visit.”
Appointments are encouraged. Customers can make an appointment online or by using the Walgreens app.
Vaccinations available in addition to flu include COVID-19, shingles, pneumonia, whooping cough, meningitis, measles, tetanus, typhoid and polio.
Flu shots also are available at Rite Aid and CVS.
Filed under: General Problems
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