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Flu Shots
updated: Jan 19, 2013, 6:46 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

I went to CVS to get a flu shot, since they have numerous signs posted that say flu shots available every day, walk-in basis.

The person at the pharmacy counter said she did not know when they'd be offering them again, since there were 200 people the previous day. She said they had vaccines in stock, but no one scheduled to administer them. I was supposed to check back, maybe Wednesday they'd have someone to give them.

I get pretty fed up with less than honest advertising, but this is a public health necessity. As a private company I know they can do what they want, but it was frustrating.

Anyone know who has flu vaccines AND someone to administer them?

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

ROGER DODGER	2013-01-19 06:50 PM
Rite Aide Milpas saw a sign..
COMMENT 365369	2013-01-19 06:57 PM
Sansum with appt. Costco had one day this month. Is a bit late to be thinking about this, in the middle of a pandemic...
COMMENT 365370	2013-01-19 07:00 PM
Eastside, Westside and Isla Vista Neighborhood Clinics.
COMMENT 365379	2013-01-19 07:07 PM
In 1980 only 15% of seniors over 70 got the flu vaccine. Today it is over 60%. Guess what? There has been no reduction on a percentage basis in the number of flu incidents in that time, for that age group. Flu shots are a waste of resources and the adverse effects can be dangerous. It's like the terrorism hype. Massive over reaction for a tiny problem.
COMMENT 365384P	2013-01-19 07:20 PM
379, what "adverse effects"? Influenza is not a "tiny problem."
COMMENT 365389	2013-01-19 07:31 PM
did you try rite-aid?
COMMENT 365391	2013-01-19 07:31 PM
379, your stats may be true (though you don't attribute them), but the flu is not a tiny problem. It kills those with weakened immune systems. For example, if an otherwise fit, well senior gets the flu, it is devastating to their well-being and if they live, they may not be able to recover their vigor. That is not a tiny problem to their loved ones.
COMMENT 365392P	2013-01-19 07:33 PM
OP here. 369 thanks for your encouraging words. Not.
COMMENT 365397P	2013-01-19 08:19 PM
Not too late. RiteAid on Milpas does have vaccine (as of last night at 1900), along with a wait of up to an hour for the pharmacist. (You can get on the list and return.) If you're going, be sure to use hand sanitizer during Film Festival.
COMMENT 365400P	2013-01-19 08:27 PM
Meant to add that a friend got a flu shot at CostCo a couple of days ago. You might want to check with Ralphs on Chapala/Carrillo to see if they still have any vaccines. It does take about two weeks for the shot to be effective, but the flu season lasts into March, with February usually the height of it.
COMMENT 365405	2013-01-19 09:00 PM
Got mine RiteAid on Mesa today
MTNDRIVER	2013-01-19 10:04 PM
CVS at State and Calle Laureles has a staff person who administers the vaccine. That's where I got mine.
COMMENT 365433	2013-01-20 06:56 AM
The Med Centers (one on State Street, one on Fairview, maybe more). Last week when I called around, they were the only ones I reached who had any left. Some clinics say they have them on order and will get more in the near future.
COMMENT 365439	2013-01-20 07:38 AM
I heard that it is H3 strain this year and that H3 was not put in this years concoction when they made it up months ago. They still have to guess what strains to immunize against in order to have time to make that many doses.
COMMENT 365443	2013-01-20 07:46 AM
Call ahead and make an appt. at CVS.
FLICKA	2013-01-20 07:54 AM
Got mine in Carpinteria (last fall) from Carl at Albertsons pharmacy. My guess is that the poster discovered the pharmacy didn't have anyone to administer the shots because not all pharmacists are qualified to do it, and everyone deserves a day off. It's not false advertising it they gave out 200 the day before. Can't necessarily expect service 24/7.
COMMENT 365448	2013-01-20 07:56 AM
Went to Costco yesterday because they advertise flu shots during pharmacy hours. Nope. They claim they only do flu shots on Tuesdays (then why doesn't the sign say that!). Went to CVS on Calle Real because they, too, advertise flu shots. Nope. No flu shots available and no knowledge if and when they will have more. More false advertising.
COMMENT 365449	2013-01-20 07:58 AM
We got ours at Walgreen's in Goleta.
COMMENT 365453	2013-01-20 08:14 AM
I had the flu many years ago and I was sick in bed for several days. I swore I would never miss a flu vaccination again. i can't remember ever being sicker than I was with the flu. Anyone who thinks it's a small problem has never had the flu. And it's never too late to get the shot.
COMMENT 365456	2013-01-20 08:27 AM
Call SB Cottage, I believe they have another whole day flu shot program coming up
COMMENT 365475	2013-01-20 08:44 AM
I have it... it sucks. I'm on day 3 of slight fever, achy body, runny nose and persistent headache. Get the shot if you can. This is a bad one and even though I am extremely careful about my hygiene and with whom I contact, I still got it...as did many others. As for the detractors. People will always assume they know more than experts - you can take their advice or you can trust the people who spend 10 years in school and years in the field. I didnt get a shot because I am pretty healthy and dont come into contact with a lot of people... next year I will be getting one for sure.
COMMENT 365491	2013-01-20 09:49 AM
there's no solid scientific evidence that the flu vaccine is effective. most people who get the shot get the flu anyway.
COMMENT 365513	2013-01-20 10:44 AM
Kinda weird how the "most people ever" have gotten the shot at the same time it is one of the the "worst flu seasons" in awhile. And not your typical flu too. Almost feels like the vacinated are infecting the rest.
COMMENT 365522P	2013-01-20 10:55 AM
Get your influenza immunization each fall. And then you will avoid all the drama and the shortages!
COMMENT 365535	2013-01-20 11:53 AM
Rite Aid
COMMENT 365543P	2013-01-20 12:17 PM
County Health Clinics. i got mine couple of months ago, and haven't been sick, though many family members around me have been quite sick. For me, it's the right thing to do to get both the flu shot every year and the pneumonia shot once every 5 years. I know my immune system well.
COMMENT 365547	2013-01-20 12:32 PM
Has anyone considered that it is healthy to get sick? It builds the immune system. Sorry the Pharmaceutical industry is not the savior.
COMMENT 365589	2013-01-20 01:54 PM
Drove by Walgreen's (Calle Real, Goleta) today (Sunday) they had their banner out.
COMMENT 365590	2013-01-20 01:57 PM
547, I agree. But then I'm healthy and fit. I never get flu shots. Never. Then again, I'm not in a high risk group nor am I in contact with anyone who is. Yes, it's fine for the healthy to get sick. Probably healthier in the long run. But you don't know anything about the OP. They could be elderly, immune compromised or have children who are high risk for health reasons. Just because we don't get the shot doesn't mean it's safe for everyone to get sick.
COMMENT 365600	2013-01-20 02:30 PM
As a two-time cancer survivor, I got the flu shot and so did my husband. It's all well and good to miss the shot if are you are healthy and don't mind getting sick, but when you go out in public while you're still contagious (and most people do), you risk putting me in the hospital. It's not just about you, it's about protecting the young, the old and the immune compromised. It's a public health issue. The last person who gave me your reasoning now has her entire family of five down with it and has changed her tune.
COMMENT 365604	2013-01-20 02:35 PM
547: healthy to get sick?... unless you die. As did 20 to 50 million people in 1918, mostly young previously healthy people of the flu. OK, it is not on that scale every year from the flu - maybe thanks to some modern practices. Then there is polio, hepatitis, meningooccal, measles, mumps, pertussis -to name a few. Millions of lives saved, much disability prevented around the world, since the introduction of vaccines.
MTNDRIVER	2013-01-20 03:48 PM
491, that's pretty funny, "most people who get the shot get the flu anyway." If that were even remotely true, there would be many many millions more people with the flu. It would be a national disaster.
COMMENT 365660	2013-01-20 06:25 PM
I get a flu shot every year and I never get the flu. To those of you who are nonbelievers in flu shots, good luck! By the way, I am in the health care industry and I'm in contact with sick people on a daily basis.
LILAC	2013-01-20 08:01 PM
I came down with the Asian flu in the late 50ies-chills, fever, instantly and every inch of my body in incredible pain. All I prayed for was a quick demise. Childbirth at its worst-- a piece of cake. I have had a flu shot every year since it has been available and so far never got the flu again. Too may people call any slight flu-like illness the flu and don't appreciate what the REAL flu can be like.
COMMENT 365683P	2013-01-20 09:19 PM
We always get ours at Walgreens. The woman who gives the shot is very good; never feel a thing when the needle goes in.
MOARTS51	2013-01-20 09:37 PM
County of SB has a page full of places you can go get a flu shot: http://www.countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/phd/IZ/Flu%20Vaccine%20Resources%20-%202012.pdf
COMMENT 365710	2013-01-21 08:01 AM
You procrastinated ... that isn't CVS fault.
COMMENT 365749	2013-01-21 10:48 AM
Rite aid on the Mesa has plenty. Just got it this am.
COMMENT 366109	2013-01-22 11:25 AM
Rite Aid in the Fairview Vons plaza has flu shots today (Tues 1/22). I think they are $20.

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