• Flu FAQ

    It is easy to get vaccinated, and it is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu. Click below to find the answer to some of the most common flu questions.
    • Where can I get a flu shot? 

    • Flu vaccine is available in many locations throughout Springfield and the surrounding areas. Contact your healthcare provider or use the Find a Vaccine tool at vaccine417.com to find a listing of locations providing shots at this time.

    • Who should receive the flu vaccine? 

    • Everyone over the age of 6 is recommended to be vaccinated unless under rare circumstances. 

    • When should I get the flu vaccine? 

    • It is important to get vaccinated early for maximum protection. Typical peak time during the flu season is between December and February, so it is recommended to be vaccinated by end of October. 

       

    • I got the flu vaccine last year. Do I need to get another one? 

    • Even if you were vaccinated last year, it is important to get vaccinated again this year to protect from changing flu viruses. Flu vaccine will protect against the three or four (depending on the vaccine) most common flu viruses circulating this year. 

    • Are flu vaccines safe? 

    • Yes. Every year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration work closely with vaccine manufacturers to ensure the highest level of safety standards for flu vaccines. For more information about flu vaccine safety, see this link.

    • Can a flu vaccine give you flu? 

    • No, flu vaccines cannot cause flu illness. Flu shots are made with either inactivated (killed) viruses, or with only a single protein from the flu virus. The nasal spray vaccine contains live viruses that are attenuated (weakened) so that they will not cause illness.

    • What if I am pregnant? 

    • Flu vaccination helps protect people and their unborn babies from getting the flu. Flu vaccination may even help protect your baby from the flu after your baby is born. Flu shots are safe for pregnant people and their unborn babies. The shot has been recommended for pregnant people for many years. Talk to your doctor about the flu vaccination during your pregnancy. For more information, visit this page.

    • I'm a parent. Should my child get a flu vaccine? 

    • Flu can be a very serious illness for children of all ages. It can lead to severe illness, hospitalization and rarely, even death. Be sure to provide best protection from the flu by getting your child vaccinated. Vaccination is especially important for protecting children with asthma, diabetes or other health conditions. Children under the age of 9 that have never had a seasonal flu vaccine should get two doses of vaccine spaced at least 4 weeks apart. Talk to your child’s doctor or health care provider about getting flu vaccine.

    • What are other ways I can fight the flu in addition to getting vaccinated? 
      • Take time to get a flu vaccine every year—even if it proves to be less effective this year, some protection is better than none. Everyone older than 6 months is recommended for a flu vaccine.
      • Take everyday preventive actions like covering coughs and sneezes, staying away from sick people and washing your hands often to help stop the spread of respiratory viruses including flu.
      • If you do get the flu, taking antiviral drugs prescribed by your doctor can lessen the severity and discomfort of the flu.
    • I already have the flu. What do I do? 

    • If you already have the flu, there are a few options for care including virtual and in-person. 

      Virtual care is a great option to stay home and avoid potentially exposing others to the flu. 

      • CoxHealth Virtual Visits
      • MyMercy

      In-person care like Convenient Care, Urgent Care and Retail Clinic locations are good options for people experiencing the beginning stages of flu or other respiratory illnesses with symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches or tiredness. 

      Walk-in clinic

      • CoxHealth Walk-In Clinic
      • Family Medical Walk-In Clinic
      • Mercy Springfield Convenient Care
      • Ozarks Community Hospital Walk-In Clinic

      Urgent Care

      • CoxHealth Urgent Care
      • Jordan Valley Community Health Center Express Care Clinic
      • Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care

      Emergency Room (see list of emergency warning signs in the next section). 

      • CoxHealth Emergency Room
      • Mercy Emergency Trauma Center - Springfield
    • What are some emergency warning signs for the flu? 

    • Emergency warning signs: 

      In children

      • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
      • Bluish skin color
      • Not drinking enough fluids
      • Not waking up or not interacting
      • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
      • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
      • Fever with a rash

      In adults

      • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
      • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
      • Sudden dizziness
      • Confusion
      • Severe or persistent vomiting
      • Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

      In addition to the signs above, get medical help right away for any infant who has any of these signs:

      • Being unable to eat
      • Has trouble breathing
      • Has no tears when crying
      • Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal
    • Should be Empty: