Last flu season, I was among the dozens who cringed at the idea of getting a flu shot. My fear of needles is not just apprehension—it’s intense and debilitating. Yet, this fear puts me and many others, especially in the San Francisco and Daly City areas, in a vulnerable position every year because accessing the flu mist vaccine, a needle-free alternative, is next to impossible.

Despite the availability of the nasal spray flu vaccine on the internet, it's not an option for everyone. The service requires commercial insurance, shutting out individuals like me who rely on Medi-Cal or similar public insurance. My healthcare provider, NEMS, doesn't carry the flu mist vaccine either, which limits my options severely.

Flu season is dangerous enough, with thousands of hospitalizations and tragically lost lives each year. According to the CDC, millions contract the flu, resulting in tens of thousands of hospital visits annually in the United States. Having easy access to the flu vaccine, in any form, is crucial.

The problem is worse in localities like mine where the flu mist, which should ideally be as accessible as the injection, is hardly an option unless you’re covered by certain private insurances or can afford out-of-pocket expenses at private clinics. It unfairly puts public insurance beneficiaries at risk, forcing them to choose between their fears and their health.

We need healthcare providers, insurance companies, and policymakers to understand the necessity of making the flu mist vaccine as readily available as the injection. The ease and comfort of a nasal spray should not be a privilege, but a choice available to everyone.

By signing this petition, you support the call for greater health equity and access to various forms of vaccinations regardless of the type of insurance coverage. It’s time for change—a change that respects everyone’s health needs and fears alike. Make the nasal spray flu vaccine available at public clinics and accessible to those under public insurance. Sign to demand a change now.