Health experts say an annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best method of reducing the chance against getting influenza and spreading it to others. BJC and SSM are holding free community flu shot clinics. This year’s flu shots contain what health officials believe will be the three or four major strains spreading this season. Additionally, there is no FluMist this season, because the nasal spray was recently deemed less effective than flu shots by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expert advisory committee.
Influenza can be one bad bug. Flu takes the lives of thousands of patients across the U.S. each year.
“Over 200,000 people a year are hospitalized from it, so depending on how bad the flu season is, between 4,000 to over 25,000 people will die each year from flu,” said Dr. Steven Lawrence, an infectious disease specialist from Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Although the vaccine is not 100 percent effective, Lawrence said getting a flu shot would cut your chances of getting the flu in half or better.
“In most years for most people, it will reduce the risk of that person getting flu somewhere between 50 and 70 percent,” Lawrence said. “It also does have the benefit of reducing the amount of flu in the community. If a lot of people are vaccinated, there are fewer people who are sick, which actually then provides protection for those who are at the very highest risk.”
At most danger from flu complications are infants under six months of age who are too young to get a flu shot, older adults and persons living with chronic illnesses, like diabetes, lung or heart conditions or weakened immune systems, he said.
If you are wondering when is the best time to get a flu shot it’s probably now, since it takes a couple of weeks to build your immunity after receiving the vaccine.
“Early activity starts around Halloween; it usually peaks around the Super Bowl and it’s usually pretty much done by Easter,” Lawrence described. “As soon as the flu vaccine becomes available, go and seek it out to get the vaccine early in the season.”
He said there is a small possibility that, in older people, there can be a waning of the flu vaccine protection late in the spring if the peak of the flu season is late.
“What we know for sure is even in that instance, there will still be some partial protection and it is much better to get flu vaccine early, because if you miss it and you actually get exposed before you even get the vaccine, then it doesn’t do you any good,” Lawrence reminded. “The overall recommendation by the CDC is to start seeking out vaccine as soon as it becomes available in the community, but really be sure you have it by Halloween.”
Dr. Rachel Charney, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital said it is particularly important for persons who are around young children to get flu shots.
“Children under the age of six months are unable to get the flu shot, so in order to protect them, we ask the adults who are around these young children … get their flu shots as well – especially family members, in order to provide protection for that baby until they are old enough to get their own flu shot,” Charney said.
In addition, some children with medical problems may not be able to get their flu shot. They need protection as well, she added.
“By decreasing the amount of flu in the community by getting vaccination, we can protect children,” Charney said.
At 3450 Park Ave. in St. Louis, in the parking lot next to the Ronald McDonald House, SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital will again offer a drive-through flu shot clinic on Sat. Oct. 8. Just roll down the window and roll up the sleeves. It is the third year that SSM has offered free flu shots by the carload.
“It’s going to be on October 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and we are doing vaccinations all the way down to six months of age, and we’re doing also car seat checks the same time,” Charney said. “It’s first come, first served and we have about 550 to give away. You just drive up in your car; you can do your paperwork in your car… and we give everyone, adults and kids, flu vaccines and you’re able to just drive on off.”
She added the only people they won’t give a flu shot to are pregnant women. They are advised to get their flu vaccine from their primary care provider.
Doctors say you can’t get sick from a flu shot – it is made from deactivated virus – and since it takes a couple of weeks to build up immunity, the doctors say if you do get sick, it is because you were probably already exposed to the flu virus before you got your flu vaccine.
Dr. Lawrence said people can sometimes get local side effects, like a sore arm, and the injection may hurt a little bit.
“And, if it’s the first time you’ve ever had the vaccine or you haven’t had it in many years, sometimes people get a low-grade temperature – a low grade fever from it,” he said.
Lawrence added there is also a high-dose flu vaccine available for a fee for persons age 65 and older that you get through your doctor’s office.
Monday, Oct. 3 – Wednesday, Oct. 5
7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Adult vaccinations only (18+ years old)
Barnes-Jewish Hospital, main floor lobby
One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63110
Parking – South Garage for $2/hr.
Monday, Oct. 3 – Wednesday, Oct. 5
8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Adult & pediatric vaccinations (6 months and older)
Center for Advanced Medicine, 3rd floor lobby
4921 Parkview Place, St. Louis, MO 63110
Parking – North Garage and Forest Park/Laclede Garage for $2/hr.
Sunday, Oct. 9
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Adult and pediatric vaccinations (6 months and older)
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, Medical Office Building 2
10 Barnes West Drive
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Free parking is available on-site
Sunday, Oct. 16
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Adult and pediatric vaccinations (6 months and older)
Siteman Cancer Center – South County
5225 Midamerica Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63129
Free parking is available on-site
For safety reasons, flu shots are not available to individuals who have had a previous allergic reaction to the flu vaccine, those with egg allergies or anyone who has ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
Barnes-Jewish will offer free flu shots this fall at additional locations in the St. Louis area. For a schedule and more information, call 314-TOP-DOCS (867-3627) or visit barnesjewish.org/flu-shots.
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Drive-through flu clinic for ages 6 months and up
Parking Lot next to Ronald McDonald House
3450 Park Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63104
In partnership with Kohl’s 4 Kids, certified car seat technicians will also be present to check for proper installation.
Other locations are for ages 9 and older only
8 a.m. – Noon
SSM Health St. Clare Hospital – Conference Center
1015 Bowles Avenue
Fenton, MO 63026
SSM Health DePaul Hospital – May Center
12303 DePaul Drive
St. Louis, MO 63044
SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – St. Charles
St. Charles Room
300 First Capitol Drive
St. Charles, MO 63301
SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Lake St. Louis
Education Center – Koenig Building
400 Medical Plaza
Lake St. Louis, MO 63367
SSM Health Medical Group
172 Professional Parkway
Troy, MO 63379
For each of the public flu clinics, vaccines will be available by injection only. There will not be a preservative-free option. Pregnant women are advised to obtain a flu shot from their primary care physician. No appointments are necessary. Participants should wear loose fit clothing and cannot be pregnant at the time. Flu shots will be given on a first come, first serve basis and are available while supplies last.
