What kind of flu 'shot' is best for you?

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The flu season is here and you are being encouraged to get a flu shot - but what kind of shot is best for you?

There are different options for what is still called a flu "shot", but for many people, a needle is no longer necessary.

Flu vaccines come in mists and button-like injections. While there is no way to predict how bad the flu season will be, health care professionals say it has become so much easier to get the vaccine, and there are really no excuses.

Some may grimace, but before you know it, it's over. Despite how quickly a flu shot takes, doctors say less than 50 percent of people get the vaccine. At Rush University Medical Center, staff and students don't have a choice. Like many health care institutions, Rush mandates that all employees and students get vaccinated..

"We don't want any of our health care workers to get influenza, primarily, so they don't give it to anyone else," said Dr. John Segreti, Rush University Medical Center.

Doctors say the flu shot has come a long way, and there are many different kinds of vaccines offered. If you don't like needles, you can avoid the shot part by getting a button-like injection in the skin, rather than muscle.

"It's a little sting, it's fine, then it's over," said Jack Dilfer.

"This was not as painful, it really wasn't, it was more psychological just knowing you're breaking my skin barrier," said Pat Day-McCary.

And for people afraid of shots between the ages of 2-49, a nasal mist is an option as well. Doctors also say there is a safe flu vaccine for people with egg allergies.

"In the past, we used to say if you have an egg allergy, you should be careful about getting flu vaccine, now we don't have that anymore," said Dr. Segreti.

There is also a higher dose available for people over 65. Walgreens provides all the varieties, and has seen an increase of people getting flu shots because the drug store chain has made it quite convenient. Pharmacists are available anytime to give one.

"Walgreens is available on nights, weekends. That makes it much easier, you don't have to make an appointment, you can walk in," said Julie While, Walgreens pharmacy manager.

Competitor CVS also offers all varieties of flu shots and takes walk-in appointments during pharmacy hours. Like years ago, flu vaccines are now covered by most private insurers and by Medicare and Medicaid. In addition, many employers provide the shot for free.