I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This vaccine shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client.

Have you ever had the flu? I had it once when I was 11 or 12 (kept me out of school for a week!), and then I had it once again last year.

IT. IS. HORRIBLE. I have been getting my flu vaccine every year for about 10 years now, including last year. And no, I’m not giving up on flu shots just because I wasn’t protected from the particular strain that came my way last year. I believe that the immunization has kept me well every single year, and that it DID effectively keep me from suffering from other strains of the flu. Even though I had some bad luck last year, I’m totally a believer! Especially now, when there’s absolutely no good time for mom to get sick. Our whole world was turned upside-down for about 3 days last year while I slept day in and day out.

My girls also came down with the flu last year, just 6 days after receiving their vaccines. I got them to the doctor for their vaccines later than I planned, and there ya go…they got exposed to the flu before their shots had a proper chance to protect them. My youngest was just 6 months old when she got the flu.

Can you imagine my guilt level? Pretty darn high!

Convenience

So why did I wait so long (I waited until the very end of November). Honestly, the answer is convenience. Their pediatrician is a 25 minute drive away. My doctor is 20 minutes, and I might well have waited that long to get my own, even though I really believe in them, had it not been for the convenience of Walgreens.

Walgreens offers adult vaccines at many of their stores during pharmacy hours, with no appointment needed. Most health insurance plans are accepted. Additionally, you get 500 points on your Balance Rewards card when you get an immunization. There are many great reasons to head to Walgreens for your immunization needs. And while they most definitely offer the flu vaccine (very important this time of year), they also have the HPC vaccine, HPV, Hepatitis vaccine (and Hepatitis b), shingles vaccine, and travel immunizations.

#GiveAShot

But the most awesome reason I want to highlight has to do with getting two shots for the price of one. No, I’m not suggesting that you get a flu shot in both arms this year. But rather, that you take advantage of the Give A Shot program and Walgreens running now through  October 14 in partnership with the United Nation’s Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign. Walgreens is ready to donate up to 3 million vaccines to children in high need areas all over the world, and by getting a vaccine for yourself, you’ll also be giving a life-saving vaccine to a child who needs it!

All you have to do to potentially save the life of someone else is walk into your nearest Walgreens and get an immunization that can help you out in some way, as well. You don’t even have to make an appointment! Make it a point to find yourself in a place like this sometime this week, ok? It’s a life-changing decision!