Flu Shot Clinics

While it’s possible to get the flu at any time of year, it is considered a seasonal illness with most infections and illness taking place in late fall and winter. We recommend getting your annual vaccine before the end of October to protect yourself all winter long.

Influenza vaccines are available at all Northern Light Primary Care locations, Northern Light Pharmacy retail locations, and at special, seasonal flu shot clinics every year.

Everyone six months or over, with very few exceptions, should get a flu vaccine every season. Young children, adults 65 and over, and people with chronic health conditions are at risk of the most serious illness from the flu, including hospitalization or even death. Vaccinations help everyone from getting sick and spreading the virus to others who are more vulnerable.

Please speak with your primary care provider about which flu vaccine is right for you based on your individual health factors (including serious allergies to the vaccine or its components).

• The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot, but there are more steps you can take to further reduce your chances of getting sick – or spreading the virus.
• Limit contact with others if you are sick and avoid close contact with sick individuals. Stay home if you are sick until you are fever free, which means a temperature below X without the use of medication, for at least 24-hours.
• Wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. If you don’t have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Clean high-touch surfaces often and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the crook of your elbow; if you use your hands, wash/sanitize them immediately.

Common symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle and body aches, headache, and fatigue. It can be hard to tell the difference between the common cold and the flu. Most often, flu symptoms are worse and longer lasting than cold symptoms. A flu test can confirm if you have the flu, reach out to your primary care provider to see if you should be tested.

If caught early, your provider may prescribe an anti-viral treatment to shorten the length and severity of your illness. If you are at risk of serious illness from the flu, reach out to your provider early – anti-viral treatment works best within two days of the onset of symptoms.