By Gregory T. Williams, MD
Chief of Infectious Diseases
Reliant Medical Group
It’s the annual guidance we receive every year from healthcare experts across the country: Be sure to get your flu shot. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting your annual influenza vaccine is the most effective way to decrease flu illnesses, related hospitalizations, and death. This year’s flu vaccine may be especially critical.
While it isn’t possible to predict the future, the CDC believes it’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading in the fall and winter, meaning getting a flu shot will be more important than ever. But how you go about getting your flu shot may look a little different. How and where people get flu vaccines may change this year and some common settings that provide flu shots, such as workplaces, may not offer them this year due to social distancing challenges.
At Reliant, we are not hosting walk-in flu clinics this year, since we cannot have large amounts of people together at once. However, all Reliant patients can contact their doctor’s office to schedule a convenient appointment for their flu vaccine. Please note we will have special appointments available for flu shots during the evening and on some weekends. Availability will vary by location, so please call your primary care provider’s office for more information.
There are also certain safety precautions and new protocols that our healthcare facilities are implementing in order to ensure that getting a flu shot is safe and accessible for all patients. You can see all the ways Reliant is helping to keep you safe here.
This year’s health crisis has made it a critical year for ensuring that you receive your annual flu shot. The cost of the flu vaccine is often covered by your health plan. Check with your health insurer, and then schedule an appointment today by calling your Reliant doctor’s office.
Make sure you’re making your health a priority by getting your flu shot this year. Learn more at www.reliantmedicalgroup.org/flu
About Gregory Williams, MD, Chief of Infectious Disease
Ever since he was a child, Dr. Greg T. Williams knew he wanted to be a doctor. “It was just one of those things, I always knew I wanted to be in medicine. I think it was a combination of enjoying science and wanting to help others that led me to decide to become a doctor,” he explains.
Dr. Williams works in the Division of Infectious Disease at Reliant Medical Group, helping to diagnose and treat a wide range of viral, bacterial,...
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Reliant doesn’t make it easy to get a flu shot. They should have a designated time where you can just show up and wait on line for your shot. As in the old days.
The Reliant automated telephone system may serve their purpose, but it is HELL for the customer.-
Hi Alfred. We are currently working on a solution to host flu clinics in a safe way. We are also rolling out direct dialing for our patients so they can reach their providers without going through the entire automated system. We appreciate your input and want you to know that we are already working on these issues. Thanks!
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My physical is Nov. 28. Should I wait that long to get a flu shot?
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Robert,
We would recommend you receive your flu shot earlier, as the flu could be spreading in this area by then. (According to the CDC, it’s best to receive your flu vaccination by the end of October.) You can call your primary care provider’s office to schedule a flu shot. More information on the most appropriate time to get a flu shot is available here:
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Can I get a flu shot at my physical next week
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Hi Joanna, you should be able to get your flu shot at your physical, just ask your provider!
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I am waiting for my pharmacy, Hannaford, Marlboro, Ma. To get the senior flu shot. They have the regular only right now.
Should I call my primary and which do you think I should get? Wait for the special senior vaccine? I am 83.-
Hi Dolores. You should contact your primary care provider to see what would be best for you. Thank you.
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