JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Local health experts are urging people to get their flu vaccines to help prevent our hospitals from becoming overburdened while we continue to fight the pandemic.
CVS pharmacies are offering flu vaccines right now and will soon be distributing the COVID-19 vaccine once it’s available.
Bita Bijanfar works at the busy CVS pharmacy inside Target at the St. Johns Town Center.
Lately she’s been receiving phone calls nearly every day from patients asking about when they can get a COVID-19 vaccine.
“That’s the top of everyone’s mind right now, is the vaccine for COVID. We haven’t finalized the guidelines for prioritizing the vaccine, but CVS is one of the official partners for the vaccine program for COVID-19,” Bijanfar said.
CVS pharmacies will have access to the vaccine through its nearly 10,000 locations.
The pharmacy manager says as soon as it’s available, they’ll be able to give it out to high-risk patients first.
Unlike the flu vaccine which requires one dose, Bijanfar said the COVID-19 vaccine will require two doses for it to work.
“The COVID-19 vaccine will require a booster shot (that) will be three to four weeks from the initial dose, and it’s a little bit different than the flu vaccine because the booster shot is going to be required to get the full immunity, and CVS will reserve those to make sure our patients are covered,” Bijanfar said.
While the COVID-19 vaccine isn’t available at CVS pharmacies yet, you can still get your flu vaccine, which can help in the fight against the pandemic.
“The flu season goes all the way up until March. Peaks basically December-January, and it takes about two weeks for your body to basically get the immunity up against the vaccine. So the better protected you are, the less stress on the health care system,” Bijanfar said.
In fact, we are seeing fewer cases of the flu during flu season because people are practicing social distancing, wearing face masks and washing their hands.
Cox Media Group
