Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Indianapolis, IN

It's that magical time of year where people willingly line up and hand over money and insurance cards to be shot.
Shot with the flu vaccine of course.
Today my daughter and I headed out bright and early to avoid long lines and get our bandaid of honor from our annual flu shots. Actually, that's a lie, we skipped last year and WE PAID DEARLY. The flu is one of those illnesses where death looks like a lovely option. And if you're responsible for little people, whether they are sick or not, the flu is not something you want beating you down.
While I'm aware that most people are able to get a flu shot at their doctor's office, my daughter's pediatrician always seems to be "out" of them, very frustrating. I also don't want to have to make two appointments, one for me and one for her (one more if you count my shot wary husband.) We always seem to miss the clinics or fairs at either my husband's school or at our local YMCA. If you can get into your doctor for your shot, great. But if it's not an option for you, there are a few other really easy options for getting your family's flu bug shoo on.

• The least expensive option, while not neccesarrily the most convenient is going to one of the fairs or clinics put on by the Marion County Health Department or by going into one of the local health departments in person.The hours of the departments can be very wonky, and the clinics are scheduled for two hours at a time all over the county. But a flu shot will only cost you $15 and children under 2 are free. (You do know that small children and anyone who deals with children should get vaccinated every year right? There are other high risk catergories for the shot, but for the sake of this site we'll focus on the little people and the ones who love them.) This link will take you to a PDF of upcoming MCHD sponsored flu shot clinics.

• Now for those of you in a little bit more of a hurry or wait until the last minute to go get your shots (HI THAT'S ME!) 13 Indianapolis CVS stores have a little clinic, called minute clinic, built right in, a brilliant idea really.The clinics, albeit small, are staffed by Nurse Practitioners skilled in the art of giving flu shots (again, they can do a lot more but for the sake of the flu theme, you know.) A shot here will cost you $30 a piece but we were in and out in under 10 minutes. Thankfully Minute Clinics accept many insurance plans. I also love the idea of being able to reward yourself with a bag of M&M's as soon as you leave the doors of the clinic. Maybe pick up some milk while you're at it. Minute Clinics are open from 9am-8pm M-F and until 4pm on Saturday, with a short (30 min.) lunch break for the practitioners around one.

• Walgreens also offers their version of the in store clinic, called the Take Care Clinic. Ten Indianapolis Walgreens locations offer Take Care Clinics with the same availability of flu shots for all. They also accept many different insurance plans or offer the shots for out of pocket expense. Their hours are similar to CVS, closing at 7:30pm M-F with an hour long lunch from 1:30-2:30.

While I'm no doctor, these are some FAQ's about the flu shot including side effects, who, when and why to get the flu vaccine. Now I may not be a doctor but I am a mom, and my daughter hasn't had a shot in recent memory, I tried to gear her up for it. I told her it may hurt a little, and that I'd go first. She was a superstar, didn't even flinch, plus she got a sticker out of the deal. Now I'm not going to lie, my right arm is sore, it's been years since I myself have had a shot. And I'm a wimp.
But I also hated being sick last year.
So go forth and flu shot it up people.
Shoo Flu Bug, don't bother me.