By Julie Stachowiak, PhD
Multiple Sclerosis Guide; Guest blogger
It seems like as the holiday excitement swirls around, so do the lines, the inconveniences and the short tempers, as everyone is frantically preparing. It has gotten so that many people refuse to go to stores after Thanksgiving, preferring online shopping for any outstanding gifts.
However, the venues that seem to have quieted down recently is that of flu vaccine clinics and doctors' offices. More vaccine is arriving weekly to places that have been waiting for it. Cases of flu-like illness are way down, meaning doctors just might be able to squeeze patients in for a shot or nasal mist vaccine. Then there is the rather unfortunate factor of many people deciding that they aren't quite so worried as they were a month ago, and deciding to forego the vaccine altogether.
All of these factors combine to make it much easier to find the vaccine (shot or mist) and get it in a timely, civilized manner than it was just a few short weeks ago. Many places and flu vaccine clinics are opening up eligibility criteria to anyone (not just those considered high-risk).
So, do yourself a favor - give yourself a break from cookie baking or holiday shopping and go have a nice, relaxing flu vaccine experience.
