Some local businesses are offering convenient ways to get a flu shot.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccination for all persons six months of age and older. In the past, the CDC only recommended annual vaccination for adults between the ages of 19 and 49, but this has changed due to advances in vaccine safety. No matter where a person receives a shot, it will contain the same medicine.

Target, 2555 Sycamore Road, and Walgreens, 100 W. Lincoln Highway, are some DeKalb businesses offering the immunization. Shots are also available through the DeKalb County Health Department and at NIU Health Services.

Target offers the flu shot for $24 with a $10 in-store gift card if a prescription is filled at the same time.

“The $10 gift card makes [Target’s] flu shot more affordable,” said Anthony Walton, a pharmacy technician at the DeKalb Target.

If applicable, Target will bill the customer’s insurance company for the customer. The Target pharmacy policy and atmosphere is set up like a doctor’s office.

“Our pharmacists go through training to give the shots,” Walton said “It is just as safe as a doctor’s office.”

The vaccine contains three different strains of the flu, including the current flu strain as well as the H1N1 strain. These immunizations are seasonal, and Target will not offer any other types of shots, according to the company’s website. Walk-ins are welcome.

Walgreens is also offering the flu shot for $24.

Although DeKalb’s Walgreens does not have a minute clinic, the pharmacist will administer the shot. Walk-ins are welcome during normal pharmacy hours, and customers must fill out a form before receiving the shot.

Vaccine forms are available at the Walgreens site to fill out ahead of time for customers who want to get in and out of the pharmacy fast.

Local family owned business Lehan Drugs , 1407 S. Fourth St., also offers the shots at $35 per patient.

“All of our pharmacists are trained to give the shot, as well as one of the nurses,” said Ann Lehan, owner and pharmacist.

Walk-ins are welcome during normal hours, and people who have had a flu vaccine before can be in and out within 15 minutes. People who have not had a vaccine before will have to stay at the pharmacy for at least 20 minutes, Ann said.

Lehan’s Drugs is also at the DeKalb Clinic, 1850 Gateway Drive in Sycamore. Shots there cost the same as their Fourth Street location.

“Me and the nurses went through special training to give the shots,” said Jon Lehan, pharmacist. “It is just as safe as a doctor’s office.”

Jon also said people who come in for a flu shot are screened to make sure no complications, like an egg allergy, might appear. If a customer has such a complication, he or she will have to go to their doctor, he said.

NIU’s Health Services also offers the shot. The Preventative Medicine Department offers the shots from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday in the basement of the Health Services building. Shots cost $20 and are payable by cash, check, MasterCard and Visa. Students can also charge the shot to their Bursar’s account.

If you’re going:

Target Pharmacy

Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Walgreens Pharmacy

Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. 6 p.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lehan Drugs

Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

DeKalb Clinic

Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

NIU Health Services

Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.