McHenry County offers flu shot clinics

Submitted by McHenry County Department of Health

McHenry County Department of Health is offering additional flu clinics to protect residents from seasonal influenza. Appointments for mercury-free shots for adults and children, 9 years and older, can be made at (815) 334-4510, for all clinics, or online at www.mcdh.info.

The cost is $30; Medicaid and Medicare Part B accepted. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages an annual flu shot for everyone six months and older as the best protection against influenza.

October flu clinics have been scheduled as follows:

Ÿ 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd St.

Ÿ 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the McHenry County Department of Health, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock

Ÿ 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 24, at McHenry County Department of Health, 100 N. Virginia St., Crystal Lake

Ÿ 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at Wonder Lake Chamber of Commerce, 7602 Hancock Drive

Ÿ 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, at Alden Hebron High School, 9604 Illinois St., Hebron

Ÿ 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Oct. 28, at Senior Services, 100 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake

Flu is a serious and contagious illness — even healthy people can get it. As the flu season is long and unpredictable, the CDC recommends getting a flu shot before flu season begins as it takes 2 weeks for antibodies to develop to provide protection. A flu shot protects not only you but those around you like pregnant women, young children, people with chronic health conditions such as like asthma, diabetes, heart disease and people, 65 and older who are especially at risk for complications from the flu. Simple ways to protect yourself also include covering your cough, washing your hands and staying home when sick. For more information on protecting yourself from influenza, visit the CDC at www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm.