Flu Shots: Where To Find 2021 Clinics In St. Michael

ST. MICHAEL, MN — Ready or not, flu season is just around the corner in St. Michael.

The 2020-21 flu season is the second St. Michael 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.

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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.

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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.

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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 St. Michael:

CVS
Locations: 600 Central Ave. E, St. Michael; 21615 S. Diamond Lake Road, Rogers; 21455 John Milless Dr., Rogers.; 15800 87th St. NE, Otsego
Pharmacy hours vary by location

Walmart
Locations: 18185 Zane St. NW, Elk River; 9320 Cedar St., Monticello
Pharmacy Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Sam's Club
16701 94th Ave. N, Maple Grove
Pharmacy Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; closed Sundays

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.