The Henrico County Health Department will offer free flu vaccinations to the public at two upcoming clinics:
- Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Adult Education Center, 7850 Carousel Lane, near the intersection of West Broad Street and Parham Road.
- Friday, Nov. 2, from 2 to 7 p.m. at the East Henrico Health Department, 1400 N. Laburnum Ave.
The clinics are open to everyone 6 months and older on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. Parents must accompany minors. The Henrico County Health Department advises individuals 65 and older that the vaccine provided at the clinics will not be high dosage.
In addition to flu shots, the clinics will offer screening kits and information on colorectal cancer, the second-deadliest form of cancer in the United States. Representatives from the organization Hitting Cancer Below the Belt will be available to conduct prescreening for colorectal cancer and will provide home-screening kits for qualifying individuals.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that everyone 6 months and older should receive an annual flu vaccination. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for an individual to become fully protected, according to the CDC, which recommends getting a flu vaccine by the end of October. Flu viruses are most common in the fall and winter, with activity increasing in October and peaking between December through February, according to the CDC.
For more information, go to henrico.us/health.