The Best Time to Get Your Flu Shot? As Soon As Possible.

Flu season is hitting a little earlier this year. So if you didn’t double-team your updated Covid-19 booster with a flu shot (and if you haven’t been boosted, you still can!), now is a good time to get your jab. Flu shots are essential for lowering our own flu risk and preventing the disease’s spread to more vulnerable populations (e.g., kids, the elderly, anyone with compromised immune systems). But if it’s never made it onto your seasonal to-do list, there’s never been a better or more crucial time to hop on the bandwagon. 

Outside of your regular doctor’s office, pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS have the flu shot available (ditto your local neighborhood pharmacy), as do urgent-care clinics like CityMD (though their website notes that demand has been high and you should call ahead to check availability). Community health clinics and NYC Health + Hospital sites have the flu shot available as well. 

For easy planning, the NYC Health Department has a map that lets you search for locations around the city based on intake age, cost and whether an appointment is required. New Yorkers can also call 311 or text FLU to 877-877 to find nearby locations.

There are more than a dozen places in Lower Manhattan alone, including:

• Downtown Pharmacy at 165 William Street
• Walgreens/Duane Reade at 200 Water Street
• Echo Drugs at 260 Broadway
• Walgreens/Duane Reade at 250 Broadway
•  Walgreens/Duane Reade at 100 Broadway 
• Walgreens/Duane Reade at 325 North End Avenue 

The health department has more information on availability here, and you can browse your local options here. Make a plan today to get vaccinated, and help protect your fellow New Yorkers.

photo: iStock