You have probably been noticing more people running around with sniffles and coughs. As the weather gets colder and damper many viruses will be passed around. But we can be prepared. Did you know that if you’re on Medicare your flu shot is free? Here are a few locations in Clark County where you could go to get your free vaccine:
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1. Mill Plain Medical and Pharmacy
8614 E Mill Plain, Vancouver, WA 98664
360-253-8993
Hours: m-f 9/6 sat 9/3
Vaccines: High-Dose Flu Shot, Shingles/zoster, Tdap, Trivalent Flu Shot -
2. Walgreens
9714 E Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98664-3920
360-253-7254
Hours: Sunday 10:00 (AM)- 06:00 (PM), Monday 09:00 (AM)- 09:00 (PM), Tuesday 09:00 (AM)- 09:00 (PM), Wednesday 09:00 (AM)- 09:00 (PM), Thursday 09:00 (AM)- 09:00 (PM), Friday 09:00 (AM)- 09:00 (PM), Saturday 10:00 (AM)- 06:00 (PM)
Vaccines: 9-valent HPV, Bivalent HPV, Cell Based Flu Shot, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, High-Dose Flu Shot, MenACWY, MenB, MMR, MPSV4, PCV13, PPSV23, Quadrivalent Flu Shot, Quadrivalent HPV, Shingles/zoster, Td, Tdap, Trivalent Flu Shot, Varicella -
3. The Vancouver Clinic
700 Ne 87th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98664
360-882-2778
Vaccines: Flu Nasal Spray ($74.47), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, MMR, Shingles/zoster, Td, Tdap, Trivalent Flu Shot ($44), Varicella -
4. Safeway
6701 East Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661
360-992-5726
Hours: M-F 9am – 9pm / Sat. 9am – 6pm / Sun. 10am – 6pm
Vaccines: High-Dose Flu Shot, Quadrivalent Flu Shot, Shingles/zoster, Trivalent Flu Shot -
5. Fred Meyer Pharmacy
11325 Se Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98684
360-253-7086
Hours: Su 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; M 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Tu 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM; W 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Th 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM; F 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Sa 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Vaccines: High-Dose Flu Shot ($60), Quadrivalent Flu Shot ($40), Trivalent Flu Shot ($30)
In addition to getting your shot there are many common sense rituals to follow to stay healthy. Of course wash you hands frequently, stay warm and dry as much as possible, and drink plenty of fluids. If you’re wondering weather or not you should go to work or other functions conciser weather or not you are contagious. If you are already having full blown symptoms of a cold or flue you are definitely contagious. Do you have that tell tale tickle in your throat? Find an immune system booster and take that with lots of water. Getting some mild exercise that makes you sweat is good at this point as well. If you’re going to be around people especially vulnerable to illness you should definitely stay home. Try not to be around pregnant women or coworkers you know have weakened immune systems.
Also think about how productive you will be able to be. If you are going somewhere you will be required to think quickly and focus for long periods of time but your ailment isn’t allowing you to focus maybe it would be better for you to take one day to recover and resume those things in better condition later. We all have busy lives that push us to keep going and work really hard. We can remind ourselves and the people around us that it is important to practice rest and self care. 
It is also easier around this time of year to consume a lot more sugar. Being cautious about your sugar intake will help keep you healthy. Sugar is the most common threat to your body’s ability to fight illness. As holiday treats start popping up everywhere it helps to have a plan about how much you will allow yourself to eat.
Lets keep taking care of ourselves and protecting the people around us from illness. That way, we can all enjoy the holidays and continue being productive.
