As the flu season approaches, the Santa Barbara Public Health Department is encouraging everyone ages six months and older to protect themselves and their loved ones from the flu by getting their annual flu vaccine.
Flu season runs October to May, with a peak usually occurring in February. Taking preventive measures and getting vaccinated at any time during the season can keep community member from falling ill and missing work or school.
“We want to protect as many people as we can in our communities from the flu. Influenza can be deadly, especially for the elderly and very young children”, said Dr. Henning Ansorg, Public Health officer. “The best way to protect yourself and your family against flu is by getting vaccinated every year.”
Santa Barbara County Public Health will host Free Community Based Flu Clinics at the following locations and dates:
Santa Maria Veterans’ Memorial Center, 3-7 p.m. Oct. 15, 313 W, Tunnell St.
Carpinteria Veterans’ Hall, 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 26, 941 Walnut Ave.
The public can go to the 2024-25 Seasonal Flu Resource for vaccination locations, information on flu symptoms and healthy habits to protect against flu.
Santa Barbara County Public Health can administer flu shots at any of the five Health Care Centers.
For more about the flu virus, visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/.