Flu Shots: Where To Find 2021 Clinics In Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ — Ready or not, flu season is just around the corner in Phoenix.

The 2020-21 flu season is the second Phoenix residents have faced while also fighting the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predict that during this flu season, both viruses will once again be spreading at the same time.

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.

Flu symptoms are similar to those of COVID-19, though they usually appear more quickly. If you get tested for the flu this season, you may also have to get tested for COVID-19.

While the flu typically infects tens of millions of people each year, the 2019-20 flu season was an anomaly.

Flu activity was unusually low last flu season in the United States despite high levels of testing. Between Sept. 28, 2020, and May 22, 2021, only 1,675 — or 0.2 percent — of 818,939 respiratory specimens tested by U.S. clinical laboratories were positive for an influenza virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

By comparison, the 2019–20 flu season caused approximately 35 million flu-related illnesses, 16 million flu-related medical visits, 380,000 flu-related hospitalizations, and 20,000 flu-related deaths, according to CDC data.

The reason for the historically low numbers was likely COVID-19 mitigation measures such as wearing face masks, hand-washing, school closures and physical distancing.

Despite last year’s low numbers, annual flu vaccination is still recommended for everyone 6 months and older. There are a few exceptions. To date, more than 100 million Americans have gotten their flu shots, according to the CDC.

If you still need to get your flu vaccine, here are a few places to go in Phoenix:

1. CVS Pharmacy, Inc. #08914
50 W Jefferson St #140, Phoenix, AZ 85004

2. Fry's Food And Drug #66000088
100 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

3. CVS Pharmacy, Inc. #09347
1525 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004

4. SAFEWAY PHARMACY #2651
340 E Mcdowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85004

5. SAFEWAY PHARMACY #174
520 W Osborn Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013

6. CVS Pharmacy, Inc. #02963
711 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85014

7. CVS Pharmacy, Inc. #09225
2406 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

8. Melrose Pharmacy
706 W Montecito Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013

9. CVS Pharmacy, Inc. #05778
4040 N 19th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85015

10. Westcare Clinic
3864 N 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85017

11. Fry's Food And Drug #66000002
3036 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

12. Fry's Food And Drug #66000128
744 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013

13. Fry's Food And Drug #66000129
4724 N 20th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016

14. CVS Pharmacy, Inc. #08366
1610 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

15. CVS Pharmacy, Inc. #09327
6021 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042

16. Walmart Inc #10-2515
3721 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018

17. Fry's Food And Drug #66000610
4230 W Mcdowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85009

18. SAFEWAY PHARMACY #1591
6202 S 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85042

19. CVS Pharmacy, Inc. #17418
5715 N 19th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85015

20. CVS Pharmacy, Inc. #09222
4275 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85009

21. Walmart Inc #10-2113
1607 W Bethany Home Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85015

22. CVS Pharmacy, Inc. #09297
6002 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014

23. CVS Pharmacy, Inc. #03500
1625 N 44th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008

24. Fry's Food And Drug #66000046
520 E Baseline Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85042

25. SAFEWAY PHARMACY #2042
3132 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

While there isn’t an official start or end to flu season, the CDC recommends people get vaccinated by the end of October.

Many Americans are also eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot. You can get a flu vaccine at the same time you get a COVID-19 vaccine, including a COVID-19 booster shot, according to the CDC.

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.