If you have decided to get your flu shot this year, the good news is you have several options close to home. Here is where to go, when they are open, and what to expect.
- Dickinson County Public Health
Dickinson County Public Health is managed by Lakes Regional Healthcare and gives immunizations, including flu shots, at its regular clinics. People of all ages are welcome, not just kids.
Immunization clinic hours:
- Tuesdays, 9:00 to 11:30 am and 1:00 to 5:30 pm
- Wednesdays, 2:00 to 4:30 pm
All immunization clinic visits are by appointment. Call 712-339-6050 to schedule. Public Health is located inside Lakes Regional Healthcare at 2301 Highway 71 South in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
- Area pharmacies
Several pharmacies in the Iowa Great Lakes area give flu shots, and many take walk-ins. If your schedule is unpredictable or you would rather not make an appointment, this is often the easiest route. Call ahead to check their hours and whether they have vaccine in stock.
- Lakes Regional Family Medicine
If you are already coming in for a check-up or a follow-up visit, ask about getting your flu shot at the same time. It saves you a second trip.
Wherever you go to get your flu shot, the appointment itself is short, usually about ten minutes, including the time you spend at the front desk. You will be asked a few questions about your health and any allergies. The shot goes in your upper arm and takes a few seconds.
Bring your insurance card and a list of any medications you take. If you are getting shots for your kids, bring their immunization record if you have it.
Some people have a sore arm for a day or feel a little tired or achy. That usually passes within a day or two. The flu shot cannot give you the flu. The vaccine does not contain a live virus that can make you sick.
September and October are generally the best months. It takes about two weeks after the shot for your body to build up protection, so getting it before flu starts moving through the community gives you the best coverage for the winter. If it is November or December, go anyway. Flu season in Iowa often peaks in January or February, so there is still plenty of season left to protect yourself against.
There are flu vaccines designed specifically for adults 65 and older. Ask when you call or talk with your provider about which one is right for you. Also, flu vaccination is recommended during pregnancy, and it also gives your baby some protection in their first months of life. Talk with your provider about the timing that makes sense for you.
