Find Flu Vaccine Around Philadelphia

David Yoslov, 23, gets a flu shot from pharmacist Eric Reid at the CVS at 19th and Chestnut. (David Swanson/Staff) (Lissa Atkins)

Posted: August 24, 2010

Health departments in Philadelphia and most other counties in the region plan to schedule flu vaccine clinics in fall 2010. They will be posted on this page. Many physicians offices will also have vaccine. Several retail chains are already offering vaccine or will do so soon.

What it protects against: The 2010-11 seasonal flu vaccine strengthens immunity against the three strains of influenza that experts believe are most likely to circulate this season. They are formally known as A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like, the same as what was in the single-strain swine flu vaccine last year; A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like; and B/Brisbane/60/2008-like.

Who should get it: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this year recommended for the first time that all Americans over 6 months of age be vaccinated either by injection (all are eligible) or FluMist nasal spray (only healthy, nonpregnant people between 2 and 49 years of age).

Number of doses: One dose is sufficient for everyone over age 9. (A new, enhanced formulation for people age 65 and older, known as Fluzone High-Dose, also requires one dose.) For the past several years, two doses at least four weeks apart have been recommended for children age 8 and under who are receiving flu vaccine for the first time. That is again the case for the 2010-11 season, but last year's seasonal and swine flu vaccines are counted separately.

Where to find vaccine

The American Lung Association's locator tool is the most comprehensive but will not be updated until the fall. The following retail chains already offer or will soon offer vaccine at locations listed on their sites; check carefully for pricing information, eligibility requirements and insurance details.

Complete federal vaccine recommendations are linked here.

Please report updates to this page via e-mail.