Montville is Not Being Spared Flu; What You Need to Know

Health officials are saying this flu season has started off badly and influenza is spreading ferociously. You already know how to keep yourself and your family well, or try at least; healthy eating and sleeping habits, covering your mouth when sneezing/coughing, avoid sick people if possible and if you are ill, stay at home and most importantly, get vaccinated!

Where to get a flu shot in Montville

If not at your doctor’s office, then at one of two local pharmacies that are providing flu shots. Here’s the low-down:

Rite-Aid is running low on flu vaccine but calls other stores to re-stock. They accept “most” insurance but in lieu of that, one can fork over $29.95 cash for the shot. And speaking of shots, you can go the regular shot route, or you can try the intradermal, which is not injected into muscle and, some say, hurts less. The wait is 30 to 45 minutes and make sure you are there by 8 p.m. sine the store closes at 9.

CVS has “plenty” of vaccine I was told. Like Rite-Aid, CVS accepts most insurance but here the shot is a bit less expensive for those who need to pay for it out-of-pocket: $25. CVS also has what is described as a ‘high-dose’ shot which is designed for people over the age of 65. Also except a 30 to 45 minute wait at CVS but they said the shot is available “all day every day.”

But some people are already ill and are asking …

Do I have the flu or is it a stomach bug or cold or what?

See your health care provider to be certain but here are the classic influenza symptoms: 

• Fever (sometimes but not always) or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (very tired)
• Some may have vomiting and diarrhea (more common in kids)

Click here for the Connecticut Department of Public Health flu report updated Thursday night.