Where to get your flu vaccine in Birmingham, including 3 options with $5 to $10 rewards
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Prime influenza season is about to ramp up. If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet, protect yourself now. No excuses. Places to get vaccinated abound in Birmingham, and some of them even reward you with dollar signs.
The Risk Of Flu
“CDC early estimates indicate that more than 900,000 people were hospitalized and more than 80,000 people died from flu last season. Some people are at higher risk for serious flu complications, including young children, older people, pregnant women and people with certain chronic health conditions.”
Centers for Disease Control, cdc.gov
Peak Flu Season
The CDC recommends you get vaccinated by the end of October. It takes two weeks after vaccination for antibodies against influenza to develop in your body, and you want that full protection before flu season begins.
However, just because November has rolled around does not give you an excuse to skip vaccination. Flu season peaks between December and February, and can last until May. The earlier you get vaccinated in the season, the better.
Flu Vaccine Types
This handy-dandy chart from the CDC breaks down flu vaccines on the market for season 2018-2019. There are two main types: quadrivalent, which protects against four influenza strains and has become standard in most forms of the vaccine; and trivalent, which protects against three strains. The type of vaccine you need also depends on your age, especially for the very young and those over age 65.
Important: If you are allergic to eggs, make sure you get a cell-cultured, or cell-grown, flu vaccine.
Cost: Most Likely Free
Your health insurance probably covers your flu vaccine in its entirety, as in $0. (If not, expect to pay between $24 and $40.) At certain locations, you may even walk out with a $5 or $10 reward; see #4 below for details.
Where To Get It
Wherever you go for your flu vaccine, it’s good to call ahead and check that it’s in stock, especially if you need a specific type of flu vaccine, such as a cell-grown vaccine if you are allergic to eggs or a high-dose vaccine if you’re over 65.
1. Your Employer
Many employers bring flu shot clinics on-site. If you’re an employer, consider arranging a flu shot clinic with a local Birmingham pharmacy. See #5 for a list of local pharmacies and contact information.
2. Your Doctor’s Office
Call you doctor’s office—you may be able to walk in and get a flu vaccine without an appointment. UAB Medicine, for instance, offers existing patients walk-in hours for flu shots at two locations.
3. Urgent Care Or Walk-In Clinic
Summit Express Urgent Care, located near Mountain Brook and Homewood, and American Family Care locations around Birmingham offer flu vaccines to walk-ins.
4. Big Boxes With $$$ Deals
- CVS/Target: When you get a flu vaccine, earn a $5 rewards coupon on your next purchase of $25 or more.
- Publix: Get a $10 Publix gift card when you get your flu shot at any Publix Pharmacy.
- Walgreens: When you get a flu vaccine, earn a $10 rewards coupon on your next purchase of $30 or more.
- Walmart with a coupon from GoodRx: If your insurance doesn’t cover the cost of your annual flu vaccine, check GoodRx.com for a coupon. With the coupon, Walmart rings in at the lowest cost at $24, versus $31 to $35 with a coupon at other big box locations.
5. Local Pharmacies
Of course, the most convenient option may be your neighborhood pharmacy, and you’ll support the local economy while you’re at it. The following locally owned pharmacies carry the flu vaccine.
Blair Pharmacy
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Address: 81 Weatherly Club Drive, Alabaster, AL 35007
Phone: 205-358-3470
Cahaba Pharmacy
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Address: 3135 Cahaba Heights Rd, Vestavia, AL 35243
Phone: 205-977-9299
Eastwood Pharmacy
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Address: 4500 Montevallo Rd, Birmingham, AL 35210
Phone: 205-900-7200
Gentry Pharmacy
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Address: 4700 Cahaba River Rd, Birmingham, AL 35243
Phone: 205-970-1983
Harbin Discount Pharmacy in downtown Birmingham
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Address: 521 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd S, Birmingham, AL 35233
Phone: 205-578-1311
Harbin Discount Pharmacy in Mountain Brook
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Address: 57 Church St, Mountain Brook, AL 35213
Phone: 205-588-7596
Homewood Pharmacy
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Address: 940 Oxmoor Rd, Birmingham, AL 35209
Phone: 205-871-9000
Hoover Hometown Pharmacy
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-noon
Address: 2801 John Hawkins Pkwy, Hoover, AL 35244
Phone: 205-650-1960
Liberty Pharmacy
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Address: 3735 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 101, Vestavia Hills , AL 35242
Phone: 205-977-9290
Mills Pharmacy in Bluff Park
Address: 758 Shades Mountain Plaza, Hoover, AL 35226
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Phone: 205-823-9500
Mills Pharmacy in Woodlawn
Address: 6501 1st Ave N. Birmingham, AL 35206
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Phone: 205-591-7800
Payless Drugs in Birmingham
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Address: 2512 31st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35207
Phone: 205-252-4179
Payless Drugs in Morris
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Address: 585 Morris Majestic Road, Morris, AL 35116
Phone: 205-647-0515
Payless Drugs in Fairfield
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Address: 4901 Gary Avenue, Fairfield, AL 35064
205-785-4343
Payless Drugs in Springville
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Address: 460 Walker Drive, Springville, AL 35146
Phone: 205-467-7988
Ritch’s Pharmacy
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Address: 2714 Cahaba Road, Mountain Brook, AL 35223
Phone: 205-871-1141
Did we miss one?
If you know of local flu vaccine resources not in this guide, let us know. Send an email to terri@bhamnow.com.
