Rite Aid - Flu Shot #05979 Santa Cruz

Yes.

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot every flu season. Rite Aid Santa Cruz currently offers free flu shots for individuals 3 years and older. If you are at risk for developing complications like pneumonia, should you develop the flu, it is essential to get a flu shot.

Children under 6 months and people with severe allergies to the flu shot or ingredients in the vaccine should not get the flu shot. Certain individuals should contact a healthcare professional before vaccination, including:

• Those allergic to eggs or any flu vaccine ingredients
• Those who have had Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of a prior flu shot
• Those who currently have COVID-19 or a moderate to severe illness with a fever

The CDC recommends that eligible persons get the flu shot as soon as it becomes available. To help ensure protection from the flu, people should get a flu shot every flu season. Peak flu season in the United States runs from October to March.

Rite Aid Santa Cruz offers free* flu shots to individuals 3 years of age and older.

*No cost with insurance after satisfaction of any applicable deductible. Flu shots available while supplies last. Ask your pharmacist for details. Age restrictions apply in some states.

Extensive research supports the safety of flu vaccines. Getting a flu shot is the first and best way to reduce your risk of developing and spreading the flu. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot every year.

Some people who have received the flu shot still develop the flu. However, the flu shot may help reduce the severity of illness in vaccinated individuals who get sick.

The flu shot does not cause you to contract the flu because the viruses in the flu shot are inactivated. Minor side effects may occur, including:

• Soreness, swelling, or redness in the area you received the shot
• Low fever
• Body aches
• Nausea

Yes. Pregnant women are 2.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for the flu than non-pregnant women since the flu can escalate and be complicated by infections during pregnancy. Getting a flu shot reduces maternal hospitalization rates by 40 percent and infant hospitalization by 91.5 percent.

Rite Aid Santa Cruz allows you to schedule your flu shot online. You can also walk into your local Rite Aid Santa Cruz for a flu shot. Individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at the appointment.