By JOE GIDDENS
Originally for www.tucsonlocalmedia.com/
This summer while two hurricanes grew in the gulf, the nation’s disease experts planned for another set of storms as the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to overlap with flu season. At an Aug. 31 press conference, Gov. Doug Ducey described this combination as a “perfect storm.”
“We aren’t taking any chances,” Ducey said, encouraging Arizonans to get a flu shot to help mitigate the burden on the state’s healthcare system. “More than 4,000 people are hospitalized in Arizona with flu complications and tragically in our state about 700 people die from the flu each year.”
The Governor’s Office’s goal is for a flu shot to be available for everyone who wants one, including the 700,000 uninsured Arizonans.
For this flu season, manufacturers are projected to provide nearly 200 million doses of the influenza vaccine to the United States, an increase of 11 million from the previous year, according to the CDC.
The previous flu season saw a record number of reported cases, with 10 percent of hospital visits being for the flu according to Dr. Cara Christ, Director of Arizona’s Department of Health Services, during the Aug. 31 press conference.
People who become co-infected with COVID and the flu are at drastically greater risk of having a severe outcome, according to Pima County Health Department vaccine preventable disease program manager Crystal Rambaud.
Ducey’s flu season plan will make flu shots available at select COVID-19 test sites. Additionally, the governor’s office will be launching an online “Vaccine Finder” to direct people to free shots and a website to assist local businesses in setting up on-site flu clinics.
Pima County Health Department is also launching a new partnership with Mollen Immunization Clinics, according to Rambaud.
“Those clinics are going to be at different places throughout the county,” Rambaud said. “To try and get to populations that sometimes don’t get vaccinated or that it’s critically important that they be vaccinated. And they’ll be able to immunize those groups for no charge. They take insurance, but they can also do free immunizing for people who are uninsured, or for people who don’t have one of our accepted insurance plans.”
Mollen’s schedule with the county is still being finalized for public vaccinations, but Mollen is currently vaccinating private groups such as nursing homes and hospice according to Rambaud.
Arizona’s medical experts have been reiterating that COVID prevention measures are critical with the oncoming flu season, to continue rigourous handwashing, wearing face masks and social distancing with a flu shot being another effective way to reduce the risk for other members of the community.
“It’s like putting your seatbelt on,” Rambaud said. “It’s not going to save your life 100 percent of the time, but it greatly reduces your risk of being hospitalized or dying.”
Pima County Health clinics will have flu shots available for people with insurance and for uninsured children in the next few days according to Rambaud. For adults without insurance Rambaud also said that Pima County Health clinics will have shots available within the next few weeks.
Most healthcare insurance plans cover the cost of immunization and are readily available at any number of locations throughout Pima County.
Generally the out of pocket cost for flu shots in Tucson ranges from $25 to $45. For those paying out-of-pocket, some of the cheapest locations are Costco for $19.99 for adults and does not require a Costco membership. Albertson’s at 9595 E. Broadway Blvd. is providing shots for $21.50.
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Locations
Be sure to call ahead to confirm the hours of operation because the pandemic has caused several healthcare locations to change their hours. Also call to confirm that immunizations are available because it is early in the flu season and locations may not have received flu shots yet.
Numerous locations throughout the county will have flu shots available. To find sites visit: vaccinefinder.org/find-vaccine
For residents with financial difficulty to receive their flu shot visit:
azdhs.gov/gis/sliding-fee-schedule/index.php
Additionally visit the Governor’s Offce website for the latest information on flu shots that will be available at COVID-19 testing sites, as well as the governor’s announced $10 gift card incentive for AHCCCS members at azgovernor.gov/newsroom
Pima County Health Department:
Calling to schedule an appointment is required because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Theresa Lee Public Health Center
1493 W. Commerce Ct
Mon. 8:00 a.m. – noon, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wed. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Fri.8:00 a.m. – noon, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
724-3995
Pima County Health Department North Clinic
3550 N 1st Ave
Tues. 8 a.m. – noon, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Wed. 8 a.m. – noon
Thurs. 8 a.m. – noon, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
724-2850
Pima County Health Department East Clinic
Temporarily closed because of the pandemic anticipated reopening on Sept. 14.
6920 E. Broadway (Suite E)
Mon. 8 a.m. – noon, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
El Rio Health Clinics
Covered by insurance.
Those without insurance $25.00 for adults 18 and over, free for 18 and under.
Several locations through the city of Tucson.
Locations: www.elrio.org/for-patients/locations/
670-3909
Costco Pharmacy
10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Mon.- Fri.
9:30 a.m. 6 p.m Sat
Closed- Sunday
1650 E. Tucson Marketplace Blvd.
791-7340
6255 E . Grant Rd
886-6377
3901 W. Costco Dr
797-1980
University of Arizona
Out of pocket cost $27.00 available by walk-in at Campus Health Service.
1224 E Lowell St
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wed: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
621-9202
CVS
Walk-in appointments are available, starting this month customers can make appointments on www.CVS.com or by texting FLU to 287898. The cost to adult patients without insurance is $39.99.
Walgreens
Walk-in appointments are available and appointments can be made online at Walgreens.com. Uninsured adults can expect to pay $41.99.
Bashas Grocery and Food City
Offers the flu shot for $45 during clincs that travel to stores for a complete listing visit: bashas.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/BashasAJs-Schedule2020_FLU_Final.pdf
Most grocery store and big box store pharmacies will have the flu shot available for walk-ins.