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We all know by now that the latest reason to stay holed up in your apartment for the next half-decade or so is the avian flu. As if hating people and the sun wasn't reason enough. And sure, it's a scary prospect. But of more immediate concern, because we need to keep our day jobs, is the seasonal flu. You know, the boring old knock you on your ass variety. For the super paranoid, you can watch it coming.
Did you get your flu shot yet? Most of the clinics up to the end of October were reserved for people in high risk groups. Now, anyone can supposedly get one. Of course, you have to find them. Here are two places to start:
First, Sutter Health has a search feature for clinics they are doing in the bay area for the next three months. The costs for the shot range between $10 and $30 with most being $25. You can volunteer at a Sutter Health clinic and, in return, receive a free shot so if the cost is an issue that would be worth checking out further.
Second, the San Francisco Department of Public Health provides flu shots through their Adult Immunization Clinic by appointment. Call 415-554-2863 between 9am to 4pm Monday thru Friday to schedule an appointment. They also provide a downloadable list (pdf) of other clinics.
In both cases, please call ahead to be sure that the clinic is happening or is actually providing shots to people outside the high risk groups. We'd love to tell you these are sure things, but they may be cancelled at the last minute if supplies run low. For example, despite being on the list as having clinics, the Walgreens website says they are cancelling any clinics after Nov 6th due to the shortage. We confirmed this with our local Walgreens manager, but your location could be different. Spending a few minutes on the phone could be worth it if it spares you a week of close facial contact with your toilet.
Finally, look for clinics happening at work or other neighbourhood locations. Our gym is having one later this week and we think that's where we'll get ours, but again we have to make an appointment for it. The days of the zip-in get a poke in the arm and zip-out flu shots are over.
Now, say you get a flu shot - or none of our leads proves fruitful - and you still get sick. If you do get the flu, you could always try securing one of those increasingly scarce beasts - a prescription for Tamiflu. And if you do, tell us how you did it because we have inside sources at pharmaceutical companies who can't even score us one since Roche suspended shipping it to the US. Remember the heady days of Cipro? Sigh. Good times.
One final thought: If you do get sick, and SFist hopes you don't because the flu truly sucks, please we beg you - stay home. Don't be a flu martyr infecting the whole MUNI system and our recirculated air workplaces. Just have some tea and bedrest and we'll see you when you're better.
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