Free flu vaccination clinics scheduled

Along with the rest of the nation, King County is experiencing widespread flu, with more people sick and requiring medical care early in the flu season compared to recent years.

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.

Visit 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. 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 flu.

Free flu vaccination clinics:

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 SE 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, Jan. 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.

For more information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/health.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.