Get the Jump on Flu Season

With school starting up and the temperature slowly ebbing from hellishly hot to startlingly cool, folks in the Roxborough and Manayunk sections of Philadelphia should be prepping for the seasonal flu onslaught that strikes when fall dampness replaces summer scorch.

The Philadelphia Department of Health Flu Hotline doesn't go active until October, so for those who need to know sooner, here's a list of ways to get your flu shot fix before the flu fixes you.

College students in the area should keep their eyes on their university e-mail inboxes throughout the next two months. Philadelphia University's Health Services office tells us that vaccination shipments should be coming in toward the end of October, and they'll be available to all faculty and students for about $15 to $20.

Students get first dibs at St. Joseph's University, where they'll pay around $10 when shipments come near their fall break—again, toward the end of October. (Faculty at St. Joe's can receive the vaccine once all interested students have received theirs; we were informed that last year, however, supplies ran out before they could be offered to faculty.)

Villanova will be holding their own flu vaccine clinic Oct. 4 to 5; the clinic is open to students and faculty alike for $25. Lastly, Lasallians get the sweetest peach: La Salle University full-time students and faculty get the vaccination for free as long as supplies last, starting after their shipment comes through in October.

But what if you're a townie? Never fear. This fall marks the first year that corporate and local drugstores alike have made a concerted effort to provide their communities with easy access to the flu vaccine. Much like all of the student health centers discussed above, drugstores in the area will not start providing shots until October, but for a different reason: pharmacists at these drugstores have had to apply for special certification to administer the shots, and most won't hear back until next month.

Once your local druggist is certified, you can either walk in and ask for the vaccine or call ahead to schedule an appointment; the latter is reccommended, as stores in the area are expecting some long lines. Vaccinations obtained this way will cost around $30, unless you're on Medicare—then it's free.

So, town and gown alike, keep your eyes peeled for circulars, signs, and e-mails over the next few weeks announcing either that vaccine shipments have arrived or that your drugstore's pharmacist is certified to administer. Stay safe, drink plenty of fluids, and don't use public drinking fountains—ever.

Here's those digits to dial to schedule your appointments:

• The Philadelphia Dept. of Health Flu Hotline: 215-685-6458
• Philadelphia University Health Services: 215-951-2986
• La Salle University Health Services: 215-951-1565
• St. Joseph's University Health Services: 610-660-1175
• Villanova University Health Services: 610-519-7407
• CVS (Main Street): 215-508-3607
• CVS (Domino Lane): 215-483-4180
• Rite Aid (5911 Ridge Avenue): 215-482-1992
• Acme Markets: 215-487-3419
• Morrison Pharmacy (6113 Ridge Avenue): 215-482-2697