Flu Shots: Where To Get Them In Oceanside

OCEANSIDE, CA — With the 2019-2020 flu season just around the corner, now is the time to know where flu shots are available in Oceanside.

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.

Related: Flu Season Ramps Up Early: 2 Deaths Reported In San Diego County

Here are some of the places you can get a flu shot in Oceanside:

• Albertsons: 3450 Marron Road, Oceanside, CA 92056
• Albertsons: 3925 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA 92058
• Concentra Urgent Care: 3910 Vista Way, Suite 106, Oceanside, CA 92056
• CVS: 1706 Oceanside Blvd, Oceanside, CA 92054
• CVS: 1980 College Blvd, Oceanside, CA 92056
• CVS: 3925 N. River Road, Oceanside, CA 92058
• CVS: 4615 Frazee Road, Oceanside, CA 92057
• CVS in Target: 443 College Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92057
• CVS in Target: 2255 S El Camino Real, Oceanside, CA 92054
• Ralphs: 101 Old Grove Road, Oceanside, CA 92057
• Ralphs: 4251 Oceanside Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92056
• Rite Aid: 201 South Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054
• Rite Aid: 3813 Plaza Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056
• Vista Community Clinic: Horne: 517 North Horne St., Oceanside, CA 92054
• Vista Community Clinic: North River: 4700 North River Road, Oceanside, CA 92057
• Vista Community Clinic: Pier View: 818 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA 92054
• Vons: 845 College Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92057
• Walgreens: 3752 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA 92058 1417
• Walgreens: 4181 Oceanside Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92056 6004
• Walmart: 705 College Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92057
• Walmart: 2100 Vista Way, Oceanside, CA 92054
• Walmart: 3405 Marron Road, Oceanside, CA 92056
• Walmart Neighborhood Market: 1046 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA 92054

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.