Community Corner

Watch Local Flu Rates Spike: Where to Get Flu Shot in Minneapolis

Here's where to get an influenza vaccine, how to recognize symptoms and what to know about treatment if you get sick.

With the death on Tuesday of a 14-year old St. Louis Park high schooler, Minnesota's influenza oubtreak is back in the spotlight.

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Health, over 225 people were been hospitalized for influenza in the last week of December 2012, the most recent period for which statistics are available. Since the start of flu season, over 576 people have been hospitalized with confirmed influenza infections. The vast majority of those cases, the department reports, are located in the Twin Cities metro area.

This time last year, flu cases were dramatically lower in Minnesota than they are now, according to data on Google's Flu Trends. (Southwest Minneapolis-specific data is not available on Flu Trends, but flu cases in the Twin Cities metro are in line with the state as a whole.)

Find out what's happening in Southwest Minneapoliswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Overall in Minnesota, activity is categorized as "intense," while it was categorized as "moderate" at this time in 2012, according to Flu Trends.

If you're considering getting a flu shot, here are some places in and near Southwest Minneapolis that offer the vaccine:

Find out what's happening in Southwest Minneapoliswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Cub Pharmacy

Rainbow Foods, Richfield

Walgreens

  • 5415 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis
  • 4323 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis
  • 200 W Lake St., Minneapolis
  • 3240 W Lake St., Minneapolis
  • 2426 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
  • 1221 W Lake St., Minneapolis
  • 5415 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis
  • 4916 France Ave. S., Edina

According to this week's CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are on the increase not just in Minnesota but across the country. 

Five states—Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee—are reporting flu rates not normally seen until January, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The flu season normally peaks in January and February.

Holiday travel and more time spent indoors due to soggy weather will contribute to the spread of the flu virus, so now is the time to get vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following information:

If you know of another place where people can get the flu vaccine, tell us in the comments.


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