just got back from the DC event (heard it on the radio too late to post). free flu shots for kids ages 6mos to age 18 and their families/caregivers; adults w/out kids are $35. they also had face painting, art activities, free clorox wipes samples, free kids' book on flu prevention, and free t-shirt.

NOTE: According to news reports, in both Atlanta and DC, the flu shots were free for children and caregivers. This event is sponsored by Families Fighting Flu, Inc., Clorox and The Visiting Nurse Associations of America. It does not explicity state that the flu shots are free, so call or check your local event.

link

In October, at Say "Boo!" to the Flu events across the country, parents will have an opportunity to get their family vaccinated, before flu season peaks. Families will also learn tricks to help prevent exposure to the flu virus all season. Say "Boo!" to the Flu will reach beyond the events from online communications to childcare centers, and pediatricians.

Atlanta, GA -- 9/27

Chicago, IL -- 10/25/08
11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Chicagoween Festival
Daley Plaza (Washington and Dearborn Streets)
Chicago, IL 60602

Denver, CO -- 10/25/08
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
HealthONE Centennial Medical Plaza
14200 E. Arapahoe Road
Centennial, CO 80112

Detroit, MI -- 10/07/08
3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Echo Park Learning Center and Camp (Pre-School)
29230 W. Twelve Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48334

Houston, TX (Hispanic Event) -- 10/11/08
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Southwest Multi-Service Center
6400 High Star
Houston, TX 77074

Indianapolis, IN -- 10/18/08
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Community Church of Greenwood
1477 W Main St.
Greenwood, IN 46142

Kansas City, MO -- 10/31/08
8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
VNA Corporation
1500 Meadow Lake Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64114

Minneapolis, MN -- 10/19/08
11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Mall of America
60 East Broadway
Bloomington, MN 55425

New York, NY (Hispanic Event) -- 10/3/08
2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Lutheran Family Health Centers
150 55th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11220

San Francisco, CA -- 10/31/08
Time TBD
Location TBD

St. Louis, MO -- 10/14/08
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Faust Park
15185 Olive Blvd.
Chesterfield, MO 63017

Washington, DC -- 9/30/08
2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Union Station
50 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Washington, DC

Note: The CDC recommends 2 shots (4 weeks apart) for children under 9 yrs to be fully effective. This is if they have never had a shot before or if their first shot was last year and they just got the one. We ran into this issue with our pediatrician's office who wanted to schedule our 4-yr old for the 2nd shot. My wife never heard of this so of course we started doing the research. Since he has had a flu shot every year, we attempted to explain to the nurses in the office that he didn't need the second shot but they continued to insist. We finally got in touch with his doctor who realized we were right and she was going to let the rest of their office know.

"Most people need one dose of influenza vaccine each year. Children younger than 9 years of age getting influenza vaccine for the first time – or who got influenza vaccine for the first time last season but got only one dose – should get 2 doses, at least 4 weeks apart, to be protected. "
Link to CDC

"The influenza vaccine is available for children over the age of six months. To produce a good response, the first year that they get it, children under nine years of age need two doses of the vaccine given at least one month apart. Children over nine years and younger children who have previously had a flu shot only need a single injection each year."
Link to About.com:Pediatrics

This vax is at best, worthless, and at worst harmful. However, it's a HUGE moneymaker for pharmaceutical companies.

Some info:

1) Studies show the flu vaccine to have the same efficacy as a PLACEBO in children 2 and under.

2) Multi-doses of the flu vax contain mercury in large amounts. Only the single dose is thimerosol-free. You can bet they won't be using individual doses at these events.

3) The flu vaccine is developed about 8 months in advance from flu strains (found in 3 world locations) that researchers anticipate may be prolific following season. Last year, 2 of the 3 strains included in the vax were already obsolete by the time it came out.

4) Side effects of the vax are often flu-like.

5) In a 5 year study of the city of Ontario, Canada, there was no observed decrease in flu despite widespread vaccination.

6) A major study has linked multiple flu vaxes to Alzheimers.

Yes, it really isn't clear from the website. The one near me is free, but maybe pricing and availability vary by site? Maybe google your local event, and you should be able to find more specifics.

ASIDE: #3 above is true. The rest is at best misleading soundbites. If you care to read actual studies you will find a very different picture than painted above. Is the flu vaccine perfect at preventing flu? No. But, the flu does kill thousands and thousands of people every year. As was stated in #3, some years are better than others because flu mutates so rapidly, but even in years with a "bad match", there appears to be some cross-protection, at least against severe disease.

No vaccine is 100% effective, but the flu vaccine has been shown over and over again to be effective at reducing infection and severe illness in people who get vaccinated. In fact, a recent large study even found that by pregnant women getting the flu vaccine, their babies were less likely to get sick during the first 6 months after birth (before they are eligible for the vaccine). This is great, since little babies are also among the groups most at risk to be seriously ill or die from flu.

It is unfortunately less effective for the elderly who need it most, but some protection is at least better than none. For young and healthy people, you are unlikely to be severely ill (although it does happen), but who wouldn't want to avoid a week feeling like hell? I do, and I get my flu shot... so far, no flu and no reaction to the vaccine.

And no, I don't have ties to the pharma industry. I just think it is an absolute shame that so many people have to suffer unnecessarily because some people like to spread hysteria.

It's been shown long time ago that people don't get sick once a while have much more chance of dying in the bed. Not sure how you got the conclusion that being in bed for a week is a bad thing.
read some medical journal before you call someone idiot. Bunnisa is telling the truth. Look at how many people (esp kids) are on medicine today compare to that of 20 years ago. That said, the flu vaccine does has its use. for some people who has much higher risk when they are infected by flu virus, then the flu shot is a relatively less risky option, or better option.

remember minor sickness help your body to prepare the defense system for a major event. guess most people can understand this point.

cyfan2000 said:Idiot. Have fun being in bed for a week.

bunnisa said:This vax is at best, worthless, and at worst harmful. However, it's a HUGE moneymaker for pharmaceutical companies.

Some info:

1) Studies show the flu vaccine to have the same efficacy as a PLACEBO in children 2 and under.

2) Multi-doses of the flu vax contain mercury in large amounts. Only the single dose is thimerosol-free. You can bet they won't be using individual doses at these events.

3) The flu vaccine is developed about 8 months in advance from flu strains (found in 3 world locations) that researchers anticipate may be prolific following season. Last year, 2 of the 3 strains included in the vax were already obsolete by the time it came out.

4) Side effects of the vax are often flu-like.

5) In a 5 year study of the city of Ontario, Canada, there was no observed decrease in flu despite widespread vaccination.

6) A major study has linked multiple flu vaxes to Alzheimers.

"Vaccines are for suckers!"

Yeah, just wait for the strain that we DON'T have a vaccine for, or for which prior vaccines are too distant from genetically. With our population density and an airborne illness, that will really show em! In the meantime, lets get as many people infected as possible so that genetic code has as many opportunities as possible to mingle with avian and distant swine strains till it hits the magic number. You're telling me you wouldn't take a vaccine to the avian flu (if it were widespread in this country) if we had it? or SARS? or HIV?

BTW, how much is "a large amount of mercury"? Is it more or less than the tuna steak I had for lunch? And does intramuscular or intralumenal absorption of mercury occur at a higher rate?

And as far as Alzheimer's what hasn't been linked to it? I guess I won't be getting my flu shot after I throw away all the aluminum in my kitchen.

If you are elderly or have respiratory issues, the flu shot is a must. It's not a guarantee, but certainly not harmful.

And to those people posting about "studies," your argument is useless unless you post a reference to the study itself so its scientific rigor can be fully examined.

If you have insurance from Aetna, flu shots are free at the Costco and drug store clincs by Maxim Health Systems