Seattle Flu Shots 2008 - Including Drive-Thru Locations

To Avoid the Flu - Get Your Shot!

It's that time of year again - time to get that flu shot! The Center for Disease control has upped its recommendations for 2008: stating that all children aged 6 months to 19 years of age should get a flu shot. And Washington state is ready with a large supply of the immunization available for the whole family.

According to Joyce Lammert, chief of medicine for Virginia Mason Medical Center, there is a lot of misinformation out there. People think they'll get sick if they get a flu shot, or they say, 'I never get sick; I don't need a flu shot.' "But the truth is we all should get them.

The statistics show that 50% of those who get infected are asymptomatic: meaning they can easily infect other people without knowing it. This is exactly how it can spread quickly in areas such as classrooms, offices and even movie theaters. Get your flu shot is your best protection against both the flu and those around you that didn't get there shots.

The vaccine is the best way to prevent seasonal flu - and really who wants a fever, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat and to be vomiting for days? According to the public health agency, the flu can give you all those symptoms plus put you at risk for bacterial pneumonia.

Where Can You Go In The Seattle Area for Flu Shots?

Flu shots are now readily available throughout the Seattle and surrounding areas. Washingtonians can get their immunizations at many places including Costco, Target, Safeway (and many other grocery stores), fire stations, Public Health clinics, and their Doctor's clinic.

One of the best ways to find a clinic is to go to the American Lung Associations website and simply put in your zip code. This will bring up a detailed list of local places that are offering the flu shots. While it will give you locations, phone numbers, hours and dates it does not include prices or age limits. Since those can vary, it would behoove you to call them before choosing where to go.