“People without health insurance can get best protection against flu“

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 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. 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.

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

  • Thursday, January 24, 3-7 pm
  • Thursday, January 31, 3-7 pm

Eastgate Public Health Center
14350 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue
206-296-4920

  • Wednesday, January 23, 3-7 pm
  • Wednesday, January 30, 3-7 pm

Federal Way Public Health Center
33431 13th Place S, Federal Way
206-296-8410

Saturday, January 26, 10 am-2 pm

North Public Health Center
10501 Meridian Ave N, Seattle
206-296-4765

  • Tuesday, January 22, 3-7 pm
  • Tuesday, January 29, 3-7 pm

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/flu

Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.9 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health — Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.

Source; King County Public Health