By The Indianapolis Recorder

As flu season begins, the Marion County Public Health Department is offering low-cost flu vaccine at special walk-in clinics in October. These clinics are in addition to the flu shots available through the health’s department’s district health offices.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older. A flu shot is especially important for pregnant women, people age 65 and older, and anyone with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease.

Flu shots offered by the Marion County Public Health Department are $20 for adults, and for children ages 2-18. The vaccine is free for children under two years old.

Special walks-in clinics in October are scheduled for the following locations and times:

Tuesday, Oct. 15

Indiana Chin Baptist Church

8528 Madison Ave.

9 a.m.-Noon

Sunday, Oct. 20

St. Gabriel Catholic Church

6000 W. 34th Street

10 a.m.-Noon

Tuesday, Oct. 22

Southport United Methodist Church

1947 E. Southport Road

9 a.m.-Noon

Thursday, Oct. 24

Cathedral Kitchen

1350 N. Pennsylvania Street

9-11 a.m.

Englewood Christian Church

57 N. Rural Street

4-6 p.m.

CDC recommends getting a flu shot by the end of October; however, receiving the vaccine at any point during flu season offers important protection from the virus. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body.

In addition to flu shots, pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine is available at these walk-in clinics for $75 or $155, depending on which type of pneumonia vaccine is recommended for each person. Tetanus vaccinations are $25 (td) or $40 (Tdap). Medicare and Medicaid are accepted.

To learn more about these special clinics, please call the Marion County Public Health Department’s Flu Hotline at (317) 221-2121. Information on vaccines offered by the health department and how to schedule an appointment is available at MarionHealth.org/immunize.

More Ways to Protect From the Flus

In addition to getting the flu vaccine, the Marion County Public Health Department recommends additional ways to protect yourself and others from the flu virus and to help stop the spread of germs.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay home from work, school and going out in public when feeling sick.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or shirt sleeve when coughing or sneezing. Flu and other serious respiratory illnesses, like RSV, whooping cough, and SARS, are spread by cough, sneezing or unclean hands.

• Wash hands often using soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

For more information on preventing flu, please visit CDC.gov.

This article originally appeared in The Indianapolis Recorder.

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