PHOENIX, AZ – Ready or not, Phoenix flu season is just around the corner. The 2020-21 flu season is the second flu season Phoenix residents face while battling the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predict that both viruses will re-spread simultaneously during this flu season. Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization, or even death. Typical flu symptoms are fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle pain and extreme tiredness. The flu symptoms are similar to COVID-19, but they usually come on more quickly. If you get tested for the flu this season, you may need to get tested for COVID-19 as well. While the flu typically infects tens of millions of people each year, the 2019-20 flu season was an anomaly. Influenza activity was unusually low during the last flu season in the United States, despite high testing. Between September 28, 2020 and May 22, 2021, only 1,675 – or 0.2 percent – of 818,939 airway samples tested by clinical laboratories in the United States were positive for one, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Influenza virus. By comparison, the 2019-20 flu season caused approximately 35 million flu-related illnesses, 16 million flu-related doctor visits, 380,000 flu-related hospital admissions, and 20,000 flu-related deaths, according to CDC data, numbers were likely to have been COVID-19 containment measures such as wearing face masks, hand washing, school closings and physical Distancing. Despite the low numbers over the past year, an annual flu shot is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over. There are a few exceptions. To date, more than 100 million Americans have gotten the flu vaccine, according to the CDC. If you still need your flu vaccine, here are a few places to go in Phoenix: CVS Pharmacy Address: 50 W. Jefferson St. # 140, Phoenix Hours Open: Sunday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wednesday: 10 a.m. Thursday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Fry’s Food and Drugs Address: 100 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix Hours of Operation: Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Thursday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Safway Pharmacy Address: 340 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix Hours of Operation: Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Thursday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Walgreens Address: 705 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix Hours of Operation: Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Thursday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. CVS Pharmacy Address: 1818 E. Baseline Road, TempeHours Open: Sundays g: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Thursday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Walgreens Address: 1745 E. Southern Ave., TempeHours Open: Sunday Monday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Thursday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Fry’s Food and Drugs address: 4842 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale Hours of Operation: Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 9 a.m. Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Thursday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Walgreens Address: 20631 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Hours of Operation: Sunday: 10 am-6pm Monday: 9 am-9pm. Tuesday: 9 am-9pm Wednesday: 9 am-9pm Thursday: 9 am-9pm Friday: 9 am-9pm Saturday: 9 am-6pm Although there is no official start or end of the flu season, the CDC recommends people stay until the end Get vaccinated in October. Many Americans are also entitled to a COVID-19 booster vaccination. You can get a flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine, including a COVID-19 booster, according to the CDC. To minimize your risk of flu, follow these three simple steps: Get a flu vaccine. It’s the best way to fight the flu. When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue and wash your hands frequently. Take antiviral flu medications if your doctor prescribes them. If you catch the flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat your illness.
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