Here’s the short answer. The CDC recommends a flu vaccine every year for nearly everyone 6 months and older. Getting it in the fall is ideal, but it still helps later in the season. If you’re already sick with fever, body aches and a cough, a quick visit and a rapid flu test can tell you whether it’s the flu while you’re still in the clinic. If you have trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion, or you can’t stay awake, call 911.
In Canal Winchester, Superior Urgent Care is a walk-in clinic at 3620 Gender Rd., Canal Winchester, OH 43110, in the Gender Road Towne Centre plaza. We’re open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. You can call us at (614) 829-3015. We see neighbors from Canal Winchester, Pickerington, Lithopolis, Groveport, Reynoldsburg and Columbus.
Flu Shots at Superior
- Walk in, seven days a week. No appointment needed, and you don’t need to be an established patient.
- Coverage is checked first. Our medical assistants confirm what your plan covers before anything is given.
- No insurance? Ask about our flexible self-pay options when you arrive.
- This season’s flu shots are in stock now.
We give flu shots to patients 6 months and older.
Who should get a flu shot?
The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions. It matters most for people at higher risk of serious flu complications: adults 65 and older, young children, pregnant people, and anyone with a chronic condition such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease. If you’re not sure whether the shot is right for you, ask the provider during your visit.
Is It the Flu or a Cold?
They can look alike at first. The flu usually hits fast, with fever or chills, body aches, a cough, headache and real exhaustion. A cold tends to come on more slowly and stays milder, with a runny or stuffy nose and a sore throat.
You don’t have to guess. Rapid flu, COVID-19 and strep tests run here in the clinic, so you usually have an answer before you leave. If other lab work is needed, it goes to Quest Diagnostics, and the results come back to the provider who saw you.
Why come in early?
According to the CDC, prescription flu antiviral medicines work best when they’re started within two days of getting sick. That matters most for people at higher risk of complications. If you think you have the flu, come in early rather than waiting it out, and the provider will tell you whether treatment makes sense for you.
When the Flu Is an ER Visit
Most flu can be treated at urgent care or at home. The CDC lists emergency warning signs that need care right away. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Ongoing pain or pressure in the chest or belly
- Ongoing dizziness, confusion, or being hard to wake
- Seizures
- Not urinating, or signs of dehydration
- Severe muscle pain, or weakness or unsteadiness
- A fever or cough that gets better and then comes back or gets worse
- Chronic medical conditions that get worse
In children, also watch for fast breathing, ribs pulling in with each breath, bluish lips or face, and chest pain.
If you’re in doubt about whether it’s an emergency, call 911.
Taking Care of Yourself at Home
Rest, drink plenty of fluids, and stay home while you’re sick so you don’t pass it on. The CDC advises staying home until you’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine and your symptoms are getting better overall. Wash your hands often and cover coughs and sneezes. If you aren’t improving, or you start to feel worse, come back in or call us.
Why Canal Winchester, Pickerington and Lithopolis Choose Superior Urgent Care
Flu season doesn’t keep business hours. Superior is open seven days a week, and until 8 PM on weekdays, so you can come in after work or school. We’re an independent practice, so the provider who sees you is the one who follows up. Our providers are certified family nurse practitioners who see patients of every age. We take most insurance plans. Russian and Ukrainian are spoken in the clinic; those providers aren’t in every day, so call ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a flu shot near Pickerington or Lithopolis?
At Superior Urgent Care, 3620 Gender Rd. in Canal Winchester. We're a walk-in clinic for families in Pickerington, Lithopolis and Canal Winchester, open seven days a week.
Do I need an appointment for a flu shot?
No. Walk in any day we're open, or save your spot online. This season's flu shots are in stock now.
Is it too late to get a flu shot?
Getting vaccinated in the fall is ideal, but the CDC says vaccination continues to be helpful as long as flu viruses are going around, often into January or later.
Can you test me for the flu?
Yes. Rapid flu testing runs in the clinic, usually with the result before you leave. We also run rapid COVID-19 and strep tests.
Will my insurance cover the flu shot?
Our medical assistants check what your plan covers before the shot is given, and we offer flexible self-pay options.
Need Care Today?
Walk in any day we are open, or save your spot online first. Open Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–8:00 PM and Saturday–Sunday 9:30 AM–5:30 PM.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seasonal flu vaccines; Who needs a flu vaccine.
- CDC. Flu symptoms and emergency warning signs.
- CDC. Treating flu with antiviral drugs.
- CDC. Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you're sick.
Medical disclaimer: This article is general health information, not medical advice, and it doesn’t replace an exam by a licensed provider. Every situation is different. If you think you or someone else is having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away.