MARION COUNTY, Ind — The month of October is officially here and with it is flu season as well.
The Marion County Health Department is giving you the opportunity to get a free flu vaccine this week. Jennifer Case-Tardiff, a nurse with the department’s infectious diseases and immunizations program, said they are putting on several flu shot events across Indianapolis starting Tuesday.
“We provide vaccines and flu clinics annually,” Case-Tardiff said. “They usually start right around the beginning of October. Every year we always hope for a new science that will help us prepare, but (flu season) is always very unpredictable.”
All the more reason to get a flu shot. She said even if you catch a different strain of flu than the strain you were immunized for, it’s still better than nothing.
“If it doesn’t get you 100-percent protected, it’s probably providing a lot more protection than you realize,” said Case-Tardiff. “You could be less sick than you would be if you hadn’t had the flu shot.”
Along with getting immunized she also urges you to take preventative measures from getting and spreading the flu, such as staying home from work when you are sick, washing you hands, and staying away from baby’s up to six months old.
The flu shots offered by the department are free at the locations listed below, but they will also be offering Tetanus and Pneumonia vaccines ranging from $25-$155.
Special walks-in clinics in October are scheduled for the following locations and times:
Tuesday, Oct. 2
Englewood Church and Daycare
57 N. Rural St.
4-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 9
Old Bethel United Methodist Church
7995 E. 21st St.
9-11 a.m.
Southport United Methodist Church
1947 E. Southport Rd.
9 a.m.-Noon
Wednesday, Oct. 10
Chin Baptist Church
8528 Madison Ave.
9 a.m.-Noon
Tuesday, Oct. 16
Southport Presbyterian Church
7525 McFarland Blvd.
9 a.m.-Noon
Sunday, Oct. 21
St. Gabriel Catholic Church
6000 W. 34th St.
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 25
Cathedral Kitchen
1350 N. Pennsylvania St.
(PHOTO: Jeff Greensberg/Getty Images)
