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“Mrs. Wattenbarger, did he just say his child has broken out with chicken pox this morning?” a parent asked me. Her befuddled expression matched mine. “I believe so,” I said, as I watched the principal close in on the parent. “Your son can’t stay here while contagious,” she informed him. “But he wanted to come,” exclaimed the dad. Naturally, this child was in the same class at my daughter and three weeks later she came down with her own case of the chicken pox. I know chicken pox is a routine childhood illness, but for my daughter, who has a weakened immune system due to a rare genetic disease, any illness she contracts will not be routine. Believe me, I am on a first name basis with our doctor and have his number memorized! The first thing I am asked when I take her to a new specialist, which occurs often, is “Are her immunizations up to date? Has she had her seasonal flu shot?”
Having a chronically ill child is a challenge. Making sure she takes the right medications, getting her to various doctors and arguing with insurance over bills can be stressful. That’s why, when I was picking up some staples in Walgreens recently, I was happy to see I could get her yearly flu immunization in the store and at a reasonable cost. I was happy I had finally found a convenient way to get a shop without spending hours at the doctor, when another sign caught my eye, the “Give a Shot, Get a Shot” campaign.
From September 2nd through October 13th, for every flu shot or other immunization you receive at Walgreens a shot containing a life saving vaccine will be provided to a child in a developing country through the United Nation Foundation’s Shot@Life program. Worldwide vaccine coordination has helped make significant progress in reducing epidemics of measles and polio. Just an FYI, Walgreens has donated over $10 million dollars worth of vouchers for free flu immunizations to Americans without health insurance. It’s worth checking with the local department of Health and Human services if you need assistance to see what is available in your area!
I’m proud we are able to help others while giving my daughter the shot at life (pun intended!) she needs. What are your best tips for staying healthy through flu season?
I would just die hearing someone bought a kid to school with chicken pox. I can’t imagine how hard this is for you and your daughter. I love that Walgreens offers this program.
That’s so convenient that you can ensure your daughter stays vaccinated by visiting Walgreens and also that another child in the world will also receive a life saving vaccine! #client
While I don’t like my kids missing school I don’t ever send them to school sick. Having four kids in school we have our share of colds that get shared.
Ugh, I hate when school starts up and everyone gets sick. With 6 kids plus my daycare – it’s horrible if someone gets sick. We have this whole regimen that we go through starting about 3 weeks before school starts up… and it’s worked like a charm every year. We start seeing the chiropractor for adjustments (adjustments boosts the immune system), we start taking Vitamin D3, probiotics, Vitamin C and cut out all sugar and processed foods (if we’ve been eating them). For the last 5 years or so, nobody has gotten colds or flu when school starts or even when winter hits. Well my daycare kids do, but we don’t.
Ugh! Schools are just breeding grounds for yuck! I am glad that you knew to take the smart step before your kiddos caught it!
I love that Walgreens offers shots for school physicals. Makes it so much easier for parents.
What an awesome program! I visit my Walgreens every year for a flu shot
I saw a mother arguing with staff at our school once about letting her child stay with lice. She said she’d done her best to get the lice out and “couldn’t do any more” about it. :O
I love that Walgreens is doing that. What a great program!
I didn’t even know that people still get chickenpox. I thought everyone got that vaccine.. Thanks for the jnfo.
My best tip for staying healthy for flu season is washing. Wash those hands all the time. Wash the doorknobs and the tables too!
Ugh, I hate when parents let kids go to school sick. When mine aren’t well they stay home no matter what, it’s just what you do…. and if you can’t you figure something else out. No need to send kids while sick to infect everyone else.
That said, I needed a flu shot, and I didn’t get one. Boy did I regret that this week when I Had the flu :/ (I stayed home, didn’t leave my bed!)
I run a daycare and get that problem with sick kids coming. Love all that Walgreens does!
I love this campaign. I think it is great they are donating a shot to a child in a developing country.
I love the services available at Walgreens and the Shot at Life campaign is wonderful! Boo on sending sick kiddos to school!
This is a really great campaign. Thanks for making us all aware that Walgreens offers this service.
This is a fantastic campaign by Walgreens! Everyone should be able to get shots if needed
Why parents let sick children go to school amazes me! Great program at Walgreens!
This is a great campaign! Nice to know everyone is healthy and it gives back too!
I used to take Mary to WalMart for her flu shot, but we have gone to Walgreens the past few years. It is a more professional setting since it is done by the pharmacy and not out in front of everyone entering the store. I am sorry your daughter got chickenpox and sorry more parents don’t realize how necessary it is to keep their sick kids at home.
Your daughter is beautiful. I see she likes hydrangeas like I do
My grandma would always go to Walgreens for her flu shot. It was a lot more convenient for her. I hope that parent keeps them home next time they are sick.
I do not have a chronically ill child, but our youngest seems to catch everything! It really can become stressful as a parent. I love that this gives back and is convenient.
I am always shocked when people think it is ok to bring a sick child to school or an event. It is so unfair to the other kids.
I think this is an awesome way that Walgreen’s is giving back. Not only are we helping ourselves, but it feels good to be able to contribute to helping others around the world as well for something we are going to do anyway!
I love the pay it forward aspect. I am all for anything having to do with that.
It’s so important to keep sick kiddos home for at least 24 hours with no fever. I think that rule has really helped my boys stay healthy while in preschool.
You are a great mom! We personally do not do the flu shot in our family. I take holistic precautions instead but! I think it’s great that Walgreens offers this for those that do want this shot!
I love that Walgreens does this. I will be sure to get my flu shot there this year.
Great pun! haha I love that Walgreens now offers such services, it really makes it much more convenient than waiting hours in a Doctors office.
Your daughter is so beautiful! I love the #GetAShot campaign that Walgreens has going on! It’s always nice to see a company care and give to those in need.
What a great program. It’s nice to see a big store like Walgreens giving to those who need it. I guess I’ll be getting all my vaccines at Walgreens from now on.
This is such a great campaign. It’s such an easy way to help pay it forward.
For us, it’s not too bad as I homeschool my daughter. She doesn’t get in contact with all the sicky germs most kids have to deal with so our home stays pretty sick free. We do make sure we’re all up to date on our shots though. Great that this program is around!
I love the get a shot give a shot campaign… My daughter has allergy induced asthma which means as soon as she gets any kind of sniffle, she it goes to her lungs. Because of this, she has to stay up-to-date on all vaccines… so I love that while we do that, we help others…
Its nice and so convenient that Walgreens offers these immunizations at some of their stores. What a great resource for busy parents.
What a great campaign Walgreens is running! Go you for giving your daughter at shot at life. 😉
I love this campaign! Walgreen’s does so many awesome things. They come up with some really great initiatives.
I’m so glad she has you for a mom and your giving her the best shot to a great life.
I love this campaign (although I loathe parents that think everyone else thinks like them… not everyone wants their kid to get pox!). I am sending hubby to get TDap before the baby comes- I will have him look at Walgreens!
This is such a great campaign. I am so glad Walgreens is offering this opportunity for others less fortunate to get a shot.
I would never send a sick child to school! Especially if they were contageous!!! How frustrating and irresponsible!
I have gotten a few tetanus shots at the Walgreens pharmacy, it is very affordable and convenient. I think it’s wonderful they are sharing the shots with kids in developing countries!
i’m LOL at the bottom pic. that’s awesome!! i’m glad you are helping B #getashot at so many wonderful things
This is such an important campaign! Thanks for sharing the info!
Oh yes, I say the flu shot is a necessity in your case! We sometimes do them, yet also take other precautions like handwashing. It’s so hard during the school year though – they pick up so much!
What a great alternative to waiting for the doctor. I am all for following the vaccination schedule for my kids.
we follow the vax schedule but don’t do more than one in a day. we go back every 2 weeks until we are caught up.
We have quite a few places around here that give low cost flu shots. Since my husband works at a hospital I am fortunate that I get mine free. It is good because since working from home and sharing weekends with a kid, my immune system is shot and I get sick much more easily than I used to.
i wish parents were more responsible with other people. Making other children sick is such aproblem with the classroom
What a great program! It is a blessing to be able to help provide such a needed service for people who wouldn’t otherwise have access.
Oh, I love this program so much! I have a little one, and I’m always so saddened by the horrible conditions that some children have to live in. At least with this program, they can get life saving vaccinations.
What a great program. Now I have the convenience of Walgreens and the knowledge that I’m helping kids out there that really need it.
Getting vaccinations at Walgreens has always been easy. Now, it also helps keep children in need healthy. Great!
This is a great program. Go Walgreens! I love that I can get convenient vaccinations and help kids in need.
I love that Walgreens has a clinic where you can get the flu shot! So many people do not want wait in line at primary care doctors so this is great!
That was not a good move on that parent’s part. It doesn’t matter if little Tommy wants to go to school. If he is sick and is contagious, keep him home!
Oh my goodness. That is not good bringing a sick child to school. Can’t believe that.
I know, I am appalled at that parents behavior. Some people…..
I can’t believe that a parent was that ignorant that they thought it was ok to bring a contagious child to school anyways. Jeez. What is wrong with some people?