A steady stream of people took advantage of Public Health – Seattle & King County’s free flu vaccination clinics during the month of January, prompting the department to add another clinic on Saturday, Feb. 2 at Federal Way Public Health Center from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This clinic will be in addition to three others this week to provide free flu vaccine to people without health insurance or who are unable to pay.

“It’s not too late to get vaccinated for flu,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Chief of Communicable Disease Epidemiology & Immunization at Public Health. “We’re still seeing high levels of flu in our area, and we expect the flu to spread for weeks to come. The flu vaccine offers the single best protection.”

Health experts recommend flu vaccine for all people six months and older, especially for pregnant women and people who have long-term health problems, like diabetes, asthma, heart or lung problems, or immune system suppression. Anyone who lives with a pregnant woman or cares for an infant younger than six months should also get vaccinated to protect the infant from getting flu.

The free flu vaccination clinics will be held at Public Health Centers at the following locations and times: North Public Health Center10501 Meridian Ave. N., Seattle, 206-296-4765Today, 3-7 p.m.

Eastgate Public Health Center14350 S.E. Eastgate Way, Bellevue, 206-296-4920Wednesday, Jan. 30, 3-7 p.m. Columbia Public Health Center4400 37th Ave. S., Seattle, 206-296-4650Thursday, Jan. 31, 3-7 p.m. Federal Way Public Health Center33431 13th Place S, Federal Way, 206-296-8410Saturday, February 2, 10 a.m.-2 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.

Flu vaccine is also available at many healthcare provider offices and pharmacies for those who have insurance or are able to pay for vaccination. Visit http://flushot.healthmap.org to help find locations. For more information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/health/flu

 

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