Doctors are preparing for a wave of influenza activity after a record-setting flu season. Walgreens Chief Pharmacy Officer Rick Gates joins "CBS Mornings" to answer questions about this year's flu season.

Doctors in the United States are preparing for another potentially severe flu season, following one of the worst outbreaks in nearly a decade according to CDC data. Medical experts recommend that individuals aged six months and older receive the annual flu vaccine, which is widely available at pharmacies such as Walgreens.

The flu vaccine is not a live virus and is considered safe, with most people experiencing minimal or no side effects. Vaccinations are typically covered by Medicare and Medicaid, and pharmacists can assist with any cost-related questions. Early vaccination is encouraged, especially before the holiday season when flu activity tends to peak.

How to prepare for this year's flu season ahead of its peak

Doctors are bracing for another severe flu season here in the US. Last year was one of the worst in nearly a decade according to CDC data. Now if you haven't gotten a flu shot, your annual flu shot that is, there's still time. Today we are partnering with Walgreens to answer some common questions about flu season. We are joined by Walgreens Chief Pharmacy Officer Rick Gates. Good morning. Great to be here. So what do we know so far about this year's flu season and what can we expect? You know it's actually really too early to understand how the flu season is right now, but I think what you see is between December and March is when the peak flu seasons actually start to hit. So I think it's important now to think about getting people protected, especially when you think about going into the holidays. So this is really the peak time. I think more to come. If you look at last year, you just gave the stat. Worst flu season in the last 10 years. So if you think about going to your families over the holidays, this is the time to get protected right now. So who should consider the flu shot? Everybody? Yeah, pretty much it's recommended for ages six months and above. In a pharmacy like Walgreens, you can go three years and above. And we work obviously with pediatricians to make sure everybody gets vaccinated. I think as you think about that 100,000 hospitalizations every year from people who don't get vaccinated, they go, they get sick and 1000 deaths. So it's really important that people think about the impact they have not just for themselves, but protecting their loved ones. The other thing I'd say is it's really easy, right? You go on a mobile app, you schedule an appointment, you walk into a Walgreens, you walk into a pharmacy, you can get a vaccine really easily ahead of all of the holiday seasons. I get a flu shot every year because my wife says if I don't, and then I get the flu, she'll take care of me, but she won't be nice about it. I like your wife. I'm too nervous to speak. Please go ahead. I've been thinking about this all night. This is already starting to be a horrible day. I was hoping your car would break down. You guys wouldn't make it. I have this. Are you saying you're a little needle? I'm very needle phobic. I have this and then later I have second part of my root canal. So I'm like, I this is not to be a good day. That leads me into my next question. There are people that are concerned about those things. They might not like needles. They might think about potential side effects. What are some side effects if there are? And then what do you say to people that are hesitant? And there's that old school thing that you get the flu shot and then you get the flu. You've heard that. I have heard that and I've talked to many people about this. I think the important part is remember the flu vaccine is not a live virus that they're putting into your system. It's a dead virus. So what happens is your body creates antibodies against that so that when you do get the flu or if you get the flu, your antibodies will really protect your body in a way that it wouldn't before. So yes, some people can get a low grade fever, some side effects that you can talk to your pharmacist for some over the counter medications, but that's generally 24 hours. Most people don't get any, any side effects, maybe a sight pain injection. So I'll tell you that, but you got a pro coming up for you. There really aren't side effects that are really people should be afraid of. It's just more go to somebody you're comfortable with and they can help you. But for years I was one of those people. I'm not going to get it. I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm fine. Then you realize that's just stupid. When you, when we had a year where a lot of people were dying from the flu. So I think it's important to get it. Um, and you brought along some pharmacists, uh, Kelly and Jamal, right? So come on in, uh, Kelly and Jamal. Everybody's well rested, well caffeinated. I'm assuming you're Jamal. Everybody in a good mood. Did you get a good night's sleep, Kelly? Get a good night's sleep. Make sure you take care of Gail. I'll take care of nervous. How long have you been doing this? 25 I'm serious. Okay. How many thousands of, uh, flu shots have you given? At least 15,000. Look at that. Okay. So what's, what's the best bit of advice that you give to people as they are waiting to get their flu shot? Just relax, stay calm and breathe for me. Stay calm and breathe. All right, well let's do this baby needle. You know, there's a baby needle. That's I got a super thin needle for you. You can't talk your way out of it. Showing off the farmer's tan here. All right, Tony. I don't want the man flu. You can do it now. Yeah. You want to be last? Yes. Okay. I'll go Jamal. Come on. Take care of me. I got you. We're good. We're good to go. Let's do this. Is that it? Is that it? Oh wow. Look at that. It already happened. Yeah, it already happened. How did it feel? Great. Feel good? Yeah. Life is good. I'm still alive. All right. Still upright. Come Rick. Come Rick. I'm here to help you. We got this. You got this Gail. You got this. That wasn't bad at all. This is what happens to me whenever I have to get a needle. You can focus here. What do you want to talk about? All right. Let me come, let me come over here. Everything going okay at your house. How about this? What do we owe you for this today? Are there out of pocket costs that people should be aware of? Yeah. You know, actually by and large flu shots are not anything that you have to pay for. So Medicare, Medicaid always covers it. And I can go to your pharmacy and they will actually shake me. Nate, don't shake. Okay. All right. I'm like, I'm not shaking you. Nate was rubbing my thing. Don't don't shake. All right. I won't say there's generally no out of pocket costs. So when it comes to anybody getting the flu shot and then pharmacists will be able to actually look into it, make sure that they understand the cost. Great. Great. Did you do it? It's done. Okay. Yeah, you did it. I think my hand, my hand, my hurt more than her on her arm. Thank you. All right. Well, listen, Rick Kelly, Jamal, thank you so much. We appreciate it. But if we get it, it's not going to be as severe. And you can get your flu shot, scan the QR code on the screen to make an appointment or just walk into your local Walgreens and they will take care of us for Jamal and Kelly.

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