In the best-case scenario, you and your family get the flu shot at the start of flu season, right when cases of the sniffles start to spread rapidly in schools and workplaces. But what happens if something comes up and, for whatever reason, you don’t get around to it? Do you give up on vaccination until the next flu season? Not quite — keep reading to find out why.
Why is the Flu Shot Important?
If your kids get sick, who will stay home with them while they recover? What happens if you get sick yourself? Do you have sick days that would cover a week at home, whether for yourself or your children?
A lot of Americans don’t have the luxury of being sick. Nearly one-quarter (24%) of all civilian workers don’t get paid sick leave, according to Pew Research Center.
The chances you don’t have sick days are proportionate with your wage. A whopping 69% of people earning $10.80 an hour or less have zero sick leave.
If you are one of the many people livings without this safety net, a flu vaccination can protect your family, keep your kids in the classroom, and help you earn a paycheck.
Getting a jab is especially important this year, as the flu is the worst it’s been in 13 years. The return to in-person school, travel, and large gatherings have caused a spike in cases.
But How Can You Afford a Flu Shot?
There’s good news for anyone with health insurance. Most insurance companies across the states will cover the cost of your flu shot — whether you live in Arizona or Wyoming.
If you don’t have health insurance, you may have to pay out of pocket for your shot. The vaccine generally costs between $20 and $110, depending on where you live.
Where you get the jab may also factor into the price you pay. Some government health centers, community organizations, and churches offer flu shots for free or at a low cost. Meanwhile, each drug store in Arizona sets its own prices, so you might find a more affordable option by shopping around.
If you still can’t afford the flu shot after finding a low-cost option, you might want to think about getting a line of credit. An online line of credit in Arizona may help in this unusual and urgent situation, as they’re designed for unexpected emergency expenses.
Have you ever heard the phrase an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? In this case, the token cost of a shot on a line of credit may cost less than the price of seeing a doctor, buying medication, and losing work after getting the flu.
When Should You Get the Flu Shot?
Ideally, you should get your jab at the start of flu season. According to the CDC, that usually starts around October and lasts until May.
Getting vaccinated early in the season ensures you’re protected for the entire winter, especially during the season’s peak over the holidays. But a late-season shot affords more protection against the flu than nothing. Besides, it’s possible to get the flu outside the usual season.
Bottom Line:
It’s better late than never. Flu season lasts a lot longer than you think, and a last-minute jab can help you avoid getting sick and losing valuable hours at work.
Call around your local pharmacies and community centers to find an affordable jab and remember — you can always rely on a line of credit in an emergency.