Free Flu Shot Clinic Oct. 13

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Need a free flu shot? Just drive through.

The Virginia Department of Health will give 900 free flu shots to those who come to a drive-through clinic at the Prince William County Government Center between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13. The shots will be administered in the parking lot in front of the McCoart Government Center at 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge.

The clinic will be open to those older than three-years-old, and it will happen rain or shine.

“Influenza is a serious disease that everyone should be vaccinated for annually. The vaccine gives the vaccinated person the best chance to fight the flu,” said Director of the Prince William Health District Alison Ansher, M.D., M.P.H.

The health department says look out for these symptoms that could lead to having the flu:

-Fever

-Dry cough

-Sore throat

-Runny or stuffy nose

-Headache

-Muscle aches

-Extreme fatigue

Officials warn the flu is highly contagious and flue season in Northern Virginia usually peaks in January and February.

Each year in the United States approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu illness, and flu-related deaths range from 3,000 to 49,000 each year — averaging 24, 000 — over the last three decades, according to the health department.

 Ansher also stated:

Annual vaccination is especially recommended for the following high-risk groups:

• Persons at high risk for complications, including children ages six months to five years, pregnant women, people 50 years of age and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, and people who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.

• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications, including household contacts of persons at high risk, household contacts and caregivers of children less than six months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated), and health care workers.

For more information on the drive-thru clinic, call the Prince William Health District at (703) 792-6345. For further information on influenza, visit vdh.virginia.gov.

*This story has been corrected.