Flu Shots Clinic in Oklahoma City, OK
Getting a flu shot is a crucial step in protecting both your health and the health of others. It helps boost your immunity and guards against seasonal influenza. At Immediate Care of Oklahoma, our healthcare professionals recommend getting the flu shot every year, especially for children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions, to lower the risk of flu-related complications. For more information, contact us or you can also book an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Edmond OK, Norman (24th) OK, Norman (HealthPlex) OK, Tecumseh OK, West Moore OK, I-240 and Sooner RD OK, Yukon OK, and Choctaw OK.




Table of Contents:
What is a flu shot and why is it important?
Can people with allergies get a flu shot safely?
What should I expect during a flu shot appointment?
How long does a flu shot last?
At Immediate Care of Oklahoma, we strive to provide comprehensive healthcare services, including offering flu vaccinations, to our community. Here’s why we encourage everyone to get their flu shot each year:
• Severity Reduction: Even if you do contract the flu after vaccination, the symptoms can be less severe, and the illness duration can be shortened. This can also reduce the chances of complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis, and limit hospitalizations.
• Protection of Vulnerable Groups: At Immediate Care of Oklahoma, we care about protecting the most vulnerable in our community. That’s why we strongly recommend flu shots for high-risk individuals like young children and infants, seniors over 65, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes.
• Prevention of Spread: When you get a flu shot, you’re not just protecting yourself – you’re helping to prevent the spread of the flu to others, reducing the overall impact of the virus on our community.
• Herd Immunity: By offering flu vaccinations to our patients, we’re contributing to the creation of ‘herd immunity.’ This means when a significant portion of our community gets vaccinated, the spread of the disease is limited, offering indirect protection to those who are not immune.
• Cost Savings: Vaccinations are a cost-effective way to prevent the flu and its associated expenses. By offering flu shots, we’re helping to reduce healthcare costs for our patients and the community.
Moreover, we remind you that getting a flu shot annually is crucial as the strain of the flu virus changes every year. The annual vaccine is updated to include the most current and common strains. By getting a flu shot at Immediate Care of Oklahoma, you’re also contributing to reducing the burden on hospitals and healthcare systems, especially during the flu season and times when healthcare systems are under strain, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
People with allergies may have concerns about getting a flu shot. Generally, individuals with allergies can safely receive a flu shot although certain allergy conditions might require special attention. We consider the flu vaccine a crucial preventive measure, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions.
Flu vaccines typically contain inactivated flu viruses, adjuvants (substances that enhance the immune response), and preservatives. A small number of individuals may experience allergic reactions to these components, which can vary in severity. Mild reactions may include redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site. More severe reactions, though rare, can include anaphylaxis, angioedema, or asthma. Our team at Immediate Care of Oklahoma is well-equipped to handle any reactions that may occur.
If you have allergies, it is important to discuss your concerns with one of our healthcare providers before getting a flu shot at our facilities. They can provide guidance on the safest way for you to receive your flu vaccine.
When you arrive at Immediate Care of Oklahoma for your flu shot appointment, our helpful and professional healthcare providers will warmly welcome you. They will then ask you a series of screening questions to ascertain if you’re an appropriate candidate for the flu vaccine. These questions will cover your health history, any allergies, your age, whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, and your recent travel history.
After confirming that you’re a suitable candidate for the flu shot, our healthcare professionals will carefully prepare the vaccine for administration. This involves drawing the vaccine into a syringe and giving the injection in the upper arm muscle. To prevent infection, the skin area where the injection will be given is sanitized with an antiseptic wipe.
After receiving the flu shot, it’s normal to experience mild side effects such as soreness at the injection area, a slight fever, chills, muscle aches, and occasionally a headache. These symptoms, which often feel like a quick, sharp pinch, typically subside within 1-2 days. To ensure your safety, we will monitor you for a short period post-injection to check for any immediate adverse reactions to the vaccine.
We strongly advocate for annual flu shots as they are one of the most effective methods to prevent influenza, a disease that can have serious implications. We are committed to your health and safety, providing you with top-quality and prompt care.
The flu shot’s effectiveness and duration of protection can greatly differ, generally lasting around five to six months. This duration coincides with the average length of the flu season, which is why we strongly recommend yearly vaccinations at our clinics.
The strength of your immune response plays a significant role in determining the flu shot’s duration of protection. A healthy immune system typically leads to a stronger response, extending the protection period. However, if you have a weakened immune system or certain health conditions, your response may not be as strong, potentially leading to a shorter protection period. At Immediate Care of Oklahoma, our medical professionals are available to discuss how your health status might influence your response to the flu shot.
The timing of the flu shot can also influence its effectiveness. We generally suggest getting a flu shot in early fall, before the flu season starts. This gives your immune system enough time to build a robust response to the vaccine.
The effectiveness of a flu shot is also affected by how well the flu strains in the vaccine match the strains present in each flu season. The flu virus evolves rapidly, undergoing genetic mutations, which lead to new strains each year. Therefore, the vaccine’s effectiveness depends on how well it matches these circulating strains. If the match is good, the vaccine may offer more robust and longer-lasting protection.
Given the rapid evolution of flu strains, it is essential to get a flu shot each year. Each year’s vaccine is designed to address the most common strains expected to circulate during that flu season. Regular vaccination at Immediate Care of Oklahoma ensures ongoing protection against the most current strains, providing a key defense against the flu. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Oklahoma City, OK. We serve patients from West Moore OK, Norman (HealthPlex) OK, Norman (24th) OK, Edmond OK, Yukon OK, I-240 & Sooner RD OK, Tecumseh OK, Choctaw OK and surrounding areas.


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