Where to Get a Flu Vaccination Shot in Washington D.C.

It's that time of year again. We are headed into the Flu season and it is time to get vaccinated for influenza. In the District of Columbia there are several options to acquire a flu vaccination. The Flu vaccination can be received through your physician's office, free clinics provided by the District of Columbia's Department of Health and local clinics at your pharmacies and grocery stores.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone who wants to avoid the flu should be vaccinated. The CDC also recommends that it is very important for those at high risk of complications from the flu should be vaccinated. Those individuals include children 6 months of age until their 5^th birthday, women who are pregnant, those age 50 and older and people living in nursing homes or other long term care facilities. It is also crucial for any one who has chronic medical conditions to also receive the flu vaccination. Discuss this with your primary care physician to see if you are at risk for complications from the flu. It is important for health care providers, people who care for children younger than 6 months and people who live with some one who is at high risk of complications of the flu to be vaccinated, as well. People with severe reactions to eggs or a previous flu vaccination or who have GBS should not receive a flu vaccination.

In Washington, D.C you can obtain a flu vacation from your primary care physician. This is recommend if your insurance will cover the charges. If your insurance does not cover the charges of the flu shot or you do not have health care insurance there are several other options to receive the flu vaccination for free or at a low cost.

Pharmacies in the District of Columbia are holding Flu vaccination clinics throughout the fall. The vaccinations are provided by the Maxim Health Systems. Pharmacies such as CVS and Giant Grocery stores are participating in these flu shot clinics. The prices range from $25 to $30 dollars. If you are on Medicare part B the fee is waived and there is no co pay required. This fee can be paid by cash or check. The dates vary from store to store. Listed below are a few of the up coming dates or you can check out other locations and dates on the website link listed above. Vaccinations at these locations are for children 9 and older and adults. Parents must be present for children under 18 to receive vaccinations.

The District of Columbia is also offering Flu shots at no cost to residence of the District of Columbia. This service is primarily for those without health care insurance or those who are under insured. They have five locations throughout the District of Columbia. You will need identification or proof of residence to obtain care. They are open on specific days and times with a limited number of patients seen each day. The locations and times are as follows, Reeves Municipal Center Thursdays 4:30pm to 7:30pm, Congress Heights Community Health Center Wednesdays 5pm to 7pm, DOH Immunization Program Mondays and Tuesday 10am to 2 pm, Israel Baptist Church 1^st Wednesday of each month 4:30pm to 7:30pm and the 3^rd Saturday of each month from 12pm to 3pm and the final location is the District of Columbia Developing Families Center 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of each month 4:30pm to 7:30pm. For directions and specific locations visit the dchealth.dc.gov.

On October 27^th there will also be a Health Fair located at the Greater First Baptist Church 2701 13^th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 from 12pm-4pm . They will be giving flu vaccinations for a fee of $20 and also free diabetes, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, hearing and eye screenings.

It is important to remember that the number of flu vaccinations are limited. There are more vaccinations available this year than any year before, but it is still important to receive your vaccination early the for the most protection as the flu season has already begun. Here are a few tips to insure that you receive your flu vaccination. Arrive to the vaccination clinics early to reduce chances of them running out before you get yours, or schedule an appointment with your physician early in October or November to receive the Flu vaccination.

Giant

4303 Connecticut Avenue, NW Saturday October 27^th from 12pm to 6pm

Washington, DC 20008 Fee is $25

Giant

1345 Park Road, NW Saturday November 10^th from 12pm to 6pm

Washington, D.C. 20010 Fee is $25

CVS Pharmacy

6514 Georgia Avenue, NW Saturday October 27^th from 10am to 2pm

Washington, D.C 20012 Fee is $30

CVS Pharmacy

4555 Wisconsin Avenue Monday November 12^th from 10am to 2pm

Washington, D.C. 20016 Fee is $30

CVS Pharmacy

1637 P Street, NW Friday November 16^th from 3pm to 7pm

Washington, D.C. 20036 Fee is $30

For more CVS Pharmacy locations and dates call 1-800-SHOPCVS.