Public Health – Seattle & King County is offering free flu vaccination clinics to make flu vaccine more widely available to people without health insurance or who are unable to pay.
Flu vaccine (shots and nasal spray) is also available at many healthcare provider offices and pharmacies for those who have insurance or are able to pay for vaccination, according to the health department. Visit http://flushot.healthmap.org to help find locations.
“The flu will likely continue to circulate for many weeks, so getting flu vaccine now can still provide protection for the rest of the flu season,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Chief of Communicable Disease Epidemiology & Immunization at Public Health. “Flu vaccine is especially important for pregnant women, people in contact with infants who are too young to vaccinate, and also to people with health conditions that put them at greater risk for severe illness and hospitalization.”
Flu vaccine offers the single best protection against the flu, according to the health department. Health experts recommend flu vaccine for all people 6 months and older, especially for pregnant women and people who have long-term health problems, like diabetes, asthma, and heart or lung problems. Anyone who lives with or cares for an infant younger than 6 months should also get vaccinated to protect the infant from getting the flu.
The free flu vaccination clinics will be held at Public Health Centers at the following locations and times:
• Columbia Public Health Center
4400 37th Ave. S., Seattle, 206-296-4650
Saturday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 24 and Thursday, Jan. 31, 3-7 p.m.
• Eastgate Public Health Center
14350 S.E. Eastgate Way, Bellevue, 206-296-4920
Saturday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m.—2 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 23 and Wednesday, Jan. 30, 3-7 p.m.
• Federal Way Public Health Center
33431 13th Place S., Federal Way, 206-296-8410
Saturday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• North Public Health Center
10501 Meridian Ave. N., Seattle, 206-296-4765
Saturday, January 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 22 and Tuesday, Jan. 29, 3-7 p.m.
The vaccinations will be given to people who do not have insurance or cannot afford to pay for vaccination otherwise. No other vaccinations will be offered at the time of the clinics. You will be able to get flu shots or nasal spray vaccines, and preservative-free, gelatin-free, and latex-free vaccines will be available, according to a health department press release.
