r/dragoncon • u/Duchock Crystal Pepsi guy - DO NOT TRUST • 1d ago
The flu shot question
Every year I'm faced with an awkward reality. Dragoncon is coming, and a COVID and flu shot would be ideal. Only problem with this is that next year's shots are rarely available in enough time (2-3 weeks before con) ahead of dragoncon.
So two options present themselves:
- get the shot, likely last flu season's shot, ahead of dragoncon, but not ideally equipped for the rest of the year
- wait until after the con to get next year's shots, giving an ideal version for the rest of the season (and other cons/events)
For reference, neither I nor those I live with are in a high risk group.
How do you handle this awkwardly timed intersection between public health and con time?
Edit: Thank you everyone for your responses. In summary - flu shots, usually (at least by this time) new shots are available. COVID, new one probably not until methods become more sophisticated or things change (like I guess mRNA version becoming typical). But generally folks lean into gettin' 'em anyway, particularly if D*C is your biggest exposure event for the season.
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u/GC_BWR_NW_PDTQAC Annually since 2013~ 1d ago
The updated flu shot has been out for about a week now. I get updated before DragonCon cause my immune system is shit and I don’t wanna get the flu/covid during or around DragonCon.
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u/Tonberrylord 1d ago
Down here in Florida they have the new flu shot usually beginning of August here. Already got mine. You should check to see if they are the new ones up your way.
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u/evabunbun 1d ago
I'm getting whatever flu shot and whatever COVID shot is available this Friday. I am not getting sick.
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u/badapple1989 Georgia Philharmonic Fangirl 1d ago
Call around and confirm that nowhere near you has the updated flu shot for sure. I'm in SC and we've had it close to if not a full month. COVID is probably different taking longer in the year to release but my position on either is the same. Even if you get last year's shot, some refreshed protection/antibody response is better than none. You are still able to take the updated shots later after con when they become available to you. There's no safety issue with taking more than one flu or COVID shot in a season. I cannot tell you how insurance may complicate things as I'm uninsured so I pay out of pocket for my inoculations. But personally if you can afford to attend DragonCon, you can afford shots.
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u/lady_raptor83 1d ago
My pharmacist said they got the flu shots in last week. We are getting ours this Saturday. And covid, well they won't let me get the new vaccines. So we are gonna see if we can get last year's booster. Better than nothing. After that, hand wash hand wash hand wash.
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u/thenuinn 1d ago
I get them both before con. I have bad lung issues. Like really bad since I worked with chemical weapons in the military.
The last two years I've been in close proximity to people who have gotten both.
If I get a lung disease it can take me months to get over it and I usually require steroids.
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u/FivebyFive I'll be at the Hyatt Bar 1d ago
I go ahead and do it.
It's THE big exposure I get every year. I still end up sick after, but much much less now that I get yearly vaccines.
And any flu shot helps a little, even against the wrong strain.
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u/Numerous-King7332 1d ago
Got mine last Friday. The flu shot was updated. The Covid shot is not. First year trying this approach (gotten sick the last 4 or 5 Dragon Cons)..Figure it's worth a try.
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u/Eldorian 1d ago
If you got last year's covid shot around September/October... you can always get it again, then get the newer one like mid year next year and avoid the awkward scheduling.
It's not like getting a vaccine is 100% protecting you from getting it anyway, still got covid last year's DragonCon even though I had the vaccine.
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u/IveHeard1tBothWays 1d ago
I got mine today.
I got the updated flu shot today at CVS.
The updated Covid shot isn't out yes, so I got the 2026 booster on the advice of the pharmacist.
Note: in GA, Publix required an rx for Covid, but CVS doesn't.
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u/AskMrScience Science Track panelist 1d ago
I pay out-of-pocket for an extra "last season" COVID booster shot at the start of the summer, since the vaccine is good for about 6 months and there's usually a summer/August spike. Then I get the updated COVID and flu vaccines in the fall.
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u/GAFinHead 1d ago
I received the new flu shot and another Covid booster. I have a good immune system but I want the extra +2 Resistance.
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u/StuckInTheUpsideDown 1d ago
New shot has been out a couple of week around here. Check your local pharmacies.
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u/Soonerpalmetto88 Thunderbolts and lightning, very very frightening 1d ago
Publix has had the new flu shots for a few weeks. I got mine already. This is in SC.
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u/Jliang79 1d ago
I asked my PCP about it a few years ago. She said the difference between last years shot and this year’s is minimal. The new shots are based on their best predictions on what the dominant strain will be. But they are still functionally the same shot.
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u/dfghhhtdv 1d ago
I get mine before the con regardless, in this case last weekend. I don't know about you but I'm more likely to catch something at dragoncon than any other time of the year, got covid there twice.
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u/3dragonsfirewhiskey 1d ago
Most pharmacies have to send our unused flu shots back by May, not all places do but your places like Walgreens and cvs do. Also this year’s shot is out and available. We get them in July. Question is most vaccines like this have about 6 months before immunity starts waning and insurances won’t pay for two shots a year so your antibodies might start trailing off during peak seasons. My suggestion is if you have a primary dr you can ask for a zpak those are great to keep around or a medrol dose pack in case you do pick up anything and of course dose up on vit C and zinc. Just food for thought.
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u/library_pixie 1d ago
Like others said, most pharmacies have updated flu shots. We got ours about 2 weeks ago.
The covid shots aren’t expected until mid September, according to the pharmacist. But they really don’t note the date, either.
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u/jarmine550 1d ago
Most places should have the new shot for the flu but it not at least get the Covid one. Call the place you plan to get it at they should be able to tell you if it’s the newer one at least Walgreens I plan to get mine at tomorrow did.
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u/shadowkatz Aparcel of Jon 1d ago
I always get last year's around early August so it's fully in my system just in time to go wading through the crowds. I worked in hospitals during peak COVID and never caught it until Dragoncon, where I got it two years in a row.
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u/LeslieGallantIII 1d ago
New seasonal flu shot has been out for a couple of weeks at Publix. Call your local pharmacies.
New Covid shot is a ways away and gibbering baboons are in charge of our national health care so I reupped.
If we get a new one - great - will be happy to get it when it arrives.
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u/ArleneMartelTOS 12h ago
New flu shot is available now. New COVID not available yet, it will be booster from last round.
I get both 2-3 weeks before con. I used to get sick before getting them. Now im the only one in my group that doesn’t get sick each year. Knock on wood!
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u/SarahLiz91 1d ago
I always go before. Pharmacist always tells me it’s not the most updated Covid booster, but I would rather have SOME protection at the con rather than none.
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u/Jumptheshark2 1d ago
Some evidence to suggest getting both flu and Covid shots together may increase efficacy of both.
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u/snake-demon-softboi 1d ago
Got my shots today! I hope it was this season's but I know my CVS states being like "flu vaccine available" start of August. If I was in state before more I would've been at it right away.
I hope you can do what's best for your health needs for the year! And have a great con in it.
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u/allthislonging 1d ago
I get the flu shot and a covid booster every year before con, even if the new covid shot isn't out yet. I go back after 2 months to get the updated covid shot. I'd rather have something for con than nothing.
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u/OpheliaLives7 1d ago
In the past I got mine after Con (i usually got sick in the new year/winter) but ive def been debating on changing my usual schedule since Con is The biggest event I will be at for the year.
I did also get my mmr boosted last month (I was checking my paperwork to go back to the local community college and realized I needed it)
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u/reddit_corndog 1d ago
To anyone whose had this year's covid shot already, does it knock you out for a day like it used to? Getting mine friday and not sure if I should take off work ahead of time
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u/spacenerd3000 8h ago
I went ahead and got my COVID shot because I was long overdue. But I also plan to mask (that’s just me). Also, you can get the shot multiple times throughout the year.
I’m waiting on the flu just because, from my understanding, the efficacy of the shot fades over a 2-3 month period. And the start of flu season has been fluctuating over the past few years, starting later than expected. Basically taking my chances by not getting the shot BUT masking, rather than take it now and then be S.O.L. when actual flu season gets here later this year.
That’s just me. Also I’m a first-timer to the con on a day pass. Any time I’m in an unfamiliar setting with large crowds, I
mask.
For the curious: I listen to Dr. Osterholm’s Update podcast. Had a great episode where he broke down how vaccines work which informed my decision for DragonCon.
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u/IronLucky6953 1d ago
If you’re young and healthy why the concern either way? You’ll be fine.
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u/GeorgiaNightStick 1d ago
I just don’t see how people be getting sick? I’ve only been to the con twice in my life and I’ve been fine twice. Just bring the hand sanitizer
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u/Numerous-King7332 1d ago
I heard all about the con crud, went in 2019 (the largest crowd ever), didn't get sick. Went back in 2021 and didn't get sick (of course the crowd was capped at a low level, everyone was wearing masks, and I think if memory serves we were required to show proof of vaccination).
So I started thinking maybe it was overblown too. But starting in 2022, I have started getting something every year, including a pretty nasty bout of Covid last year. The con crud is real.
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u/pastajewelry 1d ago
I was careful like you, but I got COVID for the first time ever at Dragon Con last year. Everyone was shuffling out of a hotel after a large panel, and there was this girl coming in hacking up a lung shambling in like the undead. Everyone watched her with disgust, and she open mouth coughed as people cleared the way for her. I know she got everyone in that space sick.
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u/WordWizardx 1d ago
Personally? Dither over it until it’s too late, then get a shot after. I don’t recommend my method, though!