Flu Shots: Where To Get Them In The Birmingham Area

BIRMINGHAM, AL — With the 2019-2020 flu season just around the corner, now is the time to know where flu shots are available in the Birmingham area.

National pharmacy chains such as Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid are popular places to receive a shot, but many communities have local clinics that also offer the service for free.

Here are some of the places you can get a flu shot in the Birmingham metro, in addition to the national chain pharmacies:

Passport Health

4274 Cahaba Heights Court Suite 230e, Birmingham, AL 35243

Call for appointment: 205-994-3152

Mills Discount Pharmacy

6501 1st Ave North, Birmingham, AL 35206

Hours: M-F 9:00 to 6:00 Sun 9:00 to 2:00

Jefferson County Department of Health

1400 Sixth Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233

Hours: Sunday: Closed Monday: 7:45am-4:30pm Tuesday: 7:45am-4:30pm Wednesday: 7:45am-4:30pm Thursday: 7:45am-4:30pm

Homewood Pharmacy

940 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL 35209

Hours: M-F 9:00 to 6:00 Sat 9:00 to 2:00

St. Vincent Urgent Care

7191 Cahaba Valley Rd, Birmingham, AL 35242

Hours: M-F 1pm - 9pm SS 9am - 6pm

Double Oak Mountain Pharmacy

5510 Highway 280 Suite 123, Birmingham , AL 35242

Hours: M-F 9:00am-6:30pm Sat 10:00am-3:00pm Closed Sunday

Parkway Discount Drugs

9709 Parkway East Ste F, Birmingham, AL 35215

Hours: M-F 9:00 to 5:30 Sat 9:00 to 2:00

While there isn’t an official start or end to flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend people get vaccinated by the end of October.

The agency also has a special message for younger kids: “Children 6 months through 8 years of age who need 2 doses should receive their first dose as soon as possible after the vaccine becomes available to allow the second dose to be received by the end of October,” according to the CDC’s official page.

Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization or even death.

Typical flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue.

The CDC estimates that 48 million people were hit by the flu in the United States in 2017-2018. The disease accounted for a staggering 959,000 hospitalizations, and 79,400 deaths during that time frame.

To minimize your risk of contracting the flu, follow these three simple steps:

1. Get a flu vaccine. It’s the best way to fight the flu!
2. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands often.
3. Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them. If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat your illness.