Bashas’ Stores Providing Flu Shots to Public

Bashas’ Family of Stores’ grocery locations are hosting flu shot services. Stores include Bashas,’ Food City and AJ’s Fine Foods.

The CDC recommends everyone six months and older, with few exceptions, obtain a flu vaccination every year. Flu viruses occur more commonly in the fall and winter, with activity increasing in October.

Flu shots, as well as pneumonia shots will be offered at the stores. The flu shots costs $45 each and the pneumonia shots costs $130 each, but Medicare B and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona cover both types of shots. The flu shots are free for all state of Arizona employees, as well as their spouses and dependents, along with state retirees with Benefit Options coverage.

An appointment is not necessary. Health officials warn that you should not receive either vaccine if you have ever experienced a serious allergic reaction to eggs or to one or both of the vaccines. If you have a fever or acute respiratory or another active infection or illness you should not get the shots. Those who have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome also should not take either shot.

To find times and locations to receive a flu shot, visit healthwaves.com. You also can find locations by visiting the Arizona Department of Health Services at azdhs.gov.