Where to Get a Flu Shot in Ditmas Park
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says that this year’s flu levels have reached epidemic proportions here in the United States, and Governor Cuomo has issued a public health emergency in New York State. We’ve heard from a few neighbors who have caught the flu already and said they were very sick for about a week, so do what you can to avoid catching it!
One of the ways doctors say you can protect yourself against the virus is by getting a flu shot. It takes about two weeks to take effect, though, so you may want to get it sooner rather than later.
You can either contact your physician’s office to get a flu shot there, or a local pharmacy can administer it. Over the weekend, the Governor ordered that pharmacists be able to administer flu shots to children as young as 6 months old for the next 30 days (normally they’re not allowed to do so to kids younger than 18), but some pharmacies are encountering difficulties.
Call ahead to make sure these local pharmacies still have vaccinations in stock, and that they are able to give them to children:
Walgreens
2101 Church Avenue at E 21st
718-469-7012
The pharmacy tells us they currently only have the intradermal flu shot, which is not be covered by all insurance companies, and the high-dose shot for people over 65 years of age. They are not sure if they will be getting any more doses of the regular flu shot.
Duane Reade
1517 Cortelyou Road at E 16th
718-287-9078
They say they’re all out of the vaccine, but are expecting a shipment today. Call after about 1pm to be sure they have it.
Rite Aid
1419 Newkirk Ave at Marlborough
718-940-1794
They say they’ve got them in stock at the moment.
You can also punch your address into the flu vaccine finder to locate additional flu shot spots around the city.
What if you’ve already got the flu? Stay home. The CDC recommends that you stay in for at least 24 hours after your fever has broken. If someone in your family comes down with the flu, here are some tips for how to take care of them.