Flu Shot Time of Year

It’s that time of year again. We have been getting flu shots every year for as long as we can remember. I had to have them for working in health care for thirty years. And when I worked at the Library of Congress, they were offered at work. So it was very convenient. Before we moved to northern Virginia from Capitol Hill we would get my husband’s flu shot at CVS, then Safeway, then Giant. Now we both get them at Giant now that we are both retired. Since both of us are due for booster covid vaccines, we thought it might be better to get the flu vaccine first. And that’s what we did today. We usually go grocery shopping on Thursday, and depending on how long the line was at the pharmacy would dictate if we would get the flu shot today. It was not busy, so we filled in the three page paper work, got a number, did some shopping, saw our number pop up, went back to the pharmacy line that was now getting a bit congested, and headed to the area where the shots were administered. I opted for my right arm today because I like to sleep on my left side. We asked if we needed to make appointments for covid boosters and she said no. She offered to give us the paperwork to fill in before we came in again and we took it. I asked if there was a better time to come - she said earlier in the morning. We know that Pfizer approved boosters for me, but Moderna hasn’t commented yet in my husband’s case. But she said people are coming in regardless. So we will fill in the paperwork and return soon. I think you can get both vaccines at once but I’d rather wait. I’m sure the covid vaccine will eventually be mixed with the flu vaccine and hopefully things may start to resume some normalcy. I’m not holding my breath but am sure wishing it happens sooner than later. Just imagine not having to pay a dime for this convenience. 

Flu Shot at Giant Pharmacy

We haven’t been to the grocery store since March 13. We went at midnight and haven’t returned. Since then we have been getting our groceries delivered instead. We primarily use Giant because we shopped there every week. But some things can’t be found at Giant so we have also used Instacart for Fresh Market, Wegman’s, and Harris Teeter. But we needed a flu shot and have gotten them at Giant before, along with the shingles shots. So we finally decided it was time to go back to the store even though I wasn’t too keen on the idea. The pharmacy closes at ten PM, so we got there at nine. No one was in line so we were processed quickly, even though it looked like they weren’t too sure they could do it. Once done, we ran through the store getting angel food cake - an item I simply can’t find anymore - six bottles of Diseno Malbec (our Total Wine Store is out of stock), apples, lettuce, eggs, bananas, potatoes and tomatoes. It was weird driving at night for the first time in six months. We still had to clean everything off when we got home which always makes grocery shopping so much longer. The store had a few customers - one not wearing a mask. All in all it went well, but I don’t want to go back again any time soon. We are in the “at risk” age group and I don’t want to undo all the good after months of hibernation as long as I can help it. The next appointment is with the eye doctor and I’m not looking forward to it. 

Flu Shot Time at Safeway - Plus a Coupon

I used to get my flu shot at work. It was always in October. Then we would find a place for my husband to get his. We have been to CVS, Giant, McLean Pharmacy, and Safeway. Because I am now retired, we have been going to Safeway for the last two years because we are now registered there, and you also get coupons for 10% off up to $200 on groceries - something you don’t get anywhere else. Last week we thought we might try the CVS down the street, or even the MedStar Clinic associated with our doctor office. But we just didn’t get there. I just wanted to get it over with. So while grocery shopping on Saturday we thought it might be a good time. But there was a line and my husband didn’t want to wait. So we drove to McLean Pharmacy and saw too much activity and decided to wait - again. It’s not like we had anything better to do. Then we thought we would get the shot before dinner on Sunday, but the Pharmacy was closed. So this morning we didn’t take our usual morning walk and headed out to McLean Pharmacy. When we walked in they said they ran out of shots on Saturday. This was getting annoying! So we ended up back at the Safeway where there was no line, we were seen right away, and we didn’t have to process a lot of paperwork because we had been there last year. And we got not just two - but three - coupons because there were two left on my paperwork clipboard. So in the end it was worth it. We don’t go to our doctors office for the flu shot because it is advised to stay away from a waiting room of usually sick people. Although it seemed to take a while to finally get this annual immunization done, it worked out in our favor. 

Flu Shots in DC and Florida

It was last Thursday and it was my day off. But it was the only day for flu shots at my workplace. So after lunch we came home and took a walk to the Library of Congress Madison Building. I went that way and my husband went to the bank to get some cash for our road trip to Florida the next day. I thought it would be terribly busy but it was empty and I was in and out in five minutes. While in Florida, I stopped by my mom's doctor's office to drop off a living will and get family leave paperwork processed. But I asked if I could bring my mom up to get a flu shot since she wouldn't be seeing her doctor until January. They scheduled her, we updated some paperwork, and were out of there in a few minutes. I was just glad we were here to think about it and get it done. It's tough living far away when your parents get old. So we've been visiting more frequently since my dad was in the dementia and passed away exactly three months ago. Now when we get back to DC we need to get my husband's flu shot. It feels like we just did this. All of a sudden time just flies by and I'm learning to appreciate even more every bit of it. 

  

Flu Shot at Work

On my Saturday blog, I described the process at Giant Food Store to get a flu shot for my husband. It feels funny to be in a grocery store to get medical care. Because I am still working I have the benefit of getting a flu shot at the Library. It is so much easier and the surroundings are definitely more majestic. Right there in the Madison Hall in the Madison Building, three tables are set with privacy screens to process the eager participants. Today was the first day of the clinic and I was pleased to see there wasn't a long line or a long wait. Of course I always fill in the paperwork before I get there which always helps. Having been in health care for thirty years in Milwaukee necessitated getting the injection whether I liked it or not. Now, it's just a good idea. Standing next to James Madison is an added bonus. (Photo of Madison Hall is from the Library of Congress website.)