If you get your yearly flu shot at CVS or Walgreens, be prepared for the whole process to look a little different this year!
For the first time, pharmacists will wear face shields and be required to check you for coronavirus symptoms when delivering the vaccines. This might mean that if you have symptoms of coronavirus, you could be turned away for the flu shot. That’s 2020, for ya!
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The nation's two largest drugstore chains just announced the new precautionary measures for administering the seasonal influenza vaccine.
Now available at both stores, the new flu season protocol was established with the COVID-19 pandemic in mind.
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"Prior to administration of an immunization, pharmacy team members will take patients’ temperature and screen for the presence of symptoms or illness," Walgreens said in a statement. "Immunizations will be deferred if a patient has a fever or other symptoms associated with illness until after symptoms are resolved."
CVS will also conduct temperature checks, ask about COVID-19 symptoms and require pharmacists to wear face shields when giving the vaccine, spokesperson Matthew Blanchette told USA Today.
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Both companies said that they expect an increased demand for the flu shot, too. CVS expects to double the number of flu shots it typically administers, and Walgreens is expecting an increase of 30% to 50%.
"We’re prepared to support that demand," Rina Shah, the company's group vice president of pharmacy and operations, told USA Today.
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Reserving your flu shot through the app will not be required, but will be encouraged. (And don't forget to wear your mask!)
Additional health precautions include disinfecting surfaces between every patient. And, Shah said that Walgreens plans to be prepared to offer the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. (We can't wait for that day!)
