Flu claims second person in Oklahoma this season

Tamiflu is an antiviral medication given to people who have been diagnosed with the flu or to their family members who were exposed, Winston said.

“It won't prevent you from getting the flu, but it will decrease the severity of your symptoms,” she said. “It's not a substitute for the flu shot, but it's something we get on board with afterward.”

People often tell Winston and other staff members at Walgreens they don't want to get the flu shot because it will make them contract the flu. That isn't possible, she said.

“If in fact they get sick right after the flu shot, they were probably exposed to the flu before they got their shot, and they just didn't have enough time for the shot to work,” she said. “And even then, they will probably have a less severe case of the flu because they did have their flu shot.”