Free Flu Shots to Be Offered at Roxbury Park

Now that the fun of Halloween is over, it's time to get serious. About the flu, that is. 

Like fashion trends, there is a different influenza strain every year. Even if you got a shot in 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you get a vaccine for this year’s strain. The flu season typically runs from September through March.

“Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year,” according to the Centers for Disease Control. “It’s especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications.”

For the sake of the folks around you, if you’re a parent, a caregiver or work with the public, get immunized. Women who are due to give birth during the flu season should get vaccinated as well.

Doctors indicate that vaccines don’t guarantee that you won’t get sick, but the symptoms are typically lessened. Check with your doctor to learn whether a flu shot is right for you.

In addition to your own pediatrician or physician, several locations are helping to keep Beverly Hills healthy:

Free Is Good: Free flu shots will be given to “seniors and disabled” from 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Roxbury Park Community Center, 471 South Roxbury Drive. Sponsored by the County of Los Angeles Department of Health Services, no appointment is necessary.

“The influenza vaccine is recommended for those people age 60 and older, those with chronic heart, lung or kidney diseases, and those with diabetes, asthma or other chronic conditions,” the city’s flier reads. “If you are hypersensitive to or have an allergy to eggs, or if you have a serious illness, please consult with your doctor about whether or not you should receive the flu vaccine.”

Call 310-285-6840 for more information.

Office Calls and “Ouch-less” Shots: For your health and convenience, get 10 or more of your office mates together and Tom Park, pharmacist and owner of Super Care Drugs at 220 N. Canon Drive, will come to your office. Park says he’s been told he gives “ouch-less” shots.

“Even families with their own physicians get their flu shots with me,” Park said. 

The cost is $24.95 and the shot is available to those 9 years of age and older.

Late Night Craving: Rite Aid is open 24/7 at both of its Beverly Hills locations. Instead of a nightcap, get a vaccine. No appointment is necessary. The cost is $27.99 and the shot is available to those 9 years of age and older. The community’s Rite Aids are located at 463 N. Bedford Drive and 300 N. Canon Drive.

Does V Stand for Vaccine? Actually, C-V-S stands for Consumer Value Stores. Before a flick at the , consider a quick flu shot across the street at the CVS at 9045 Wilshire Blvd. No appointment necessary. The cost is $29.99 and the shot is available to those 9 years of age and older.

Teen Spirit: “At Beverly Hills High School, influenza absences were particularly bad last year beginning in November,” said Margo Bender, the school’s senior attendance assistant for more than 13 years. It’s a good idea to get your teen his or her shot to avoid sick days.

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