Health Plan of San Joaquin | Focus Your Health | Winter 2020

4 Focus Your Health The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that every person over the age of 6 months should get the flu vaccine from their doctor or pharmacist. Examples of the available flu vaccine include:  ● Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV)   ● Recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV4)  ● Live attenuated Influenza vaccine (LAIV4)  ● Live attenuated nasal spray influenza vaccine If you haven’t gotten yours yet, it’s not too late! Where to get your flu shot Anyone over the age of 18 can get the flu shot at a pharmacy. If you are under 18, make an appointment with your doctor. What you need to know for the 2020–21 flu season Not all pharmacies have the vaccine. Call your pharmacy before visiting. Appoint- ments are not needed at most locations. COVID-19 safety at the pharmacy 1 How can I protect myself while getting my immunizations?  ● Wear a face mask or face covering.  ● Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.  ● Wash your hands. 2 What processes and pro- cedures are being applied at my local pharmacy to pro- tect patients?  ● Staff will be wearing masks.  ● Patients will complete a COVID-19 screening form and must pass a temperature check.  ● All patients should keep 6 feet apart from each other. 3 Should I get a flu vaccina - tion if I have suspected or confirmed COVID-19?  ● No, patients should not get any vaccines while they have or think they might have COVID-19.  ● Patients should talk to their doctor if they have COVID-19. 4 If I was recently diagnosed with COVID-19, when can I receive the flu vaccination?  ● Talk to your doctor about when you should get your flu vaccine. 5 What other vaccinations should adults over the age of 19 receive at the local pharmacy?  ● Pneumococcal vaccine  ● Zoster vaccination  ● Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap or Td)